Short Paper On Border And Transportation Security

Short Paper Border And Transportation Securitysummarize And Critique

Short Paper: Border and Transportation Security Summarize and critique the efforts of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Federal Air Marshal (FAM) programs in border and transportation security. Analyze the initial or refined mission of the agency with successes and benchmarks obtained since their creation or reorganization. Have the changes helped? Have the agencies made significant enough progress to justify budgetary and personnel allocations? 2 pages apa

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The post-9/11 security landscape prompted significant reorganization and expansion of U.S. border and transportation security agencies, notably the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Federal Air Marshal (FAM) programs. These agencies were established or restructured with the primary goal of enhancing national security by preventing terrorist activities, controlling border crossings, and safeguarding transportation systems. This paper summarizes their efforts, evaluates their successes and benchmarks, and critiques whether these agencies’ changes have justified the substantial budgetary and personnel investments.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Established in 2001 post-9/11, the TSA's mission is to protect the nation's transportation systems, primarily focusing on aviation security (Transportation Security Administration, 2022). Its initial efforts centered on passenger and baggage screening at airports. Over the years, TSA has implemented advanced screening technologies, such as full-body scanners and biometric systems, aiming to detect threats more effectively (Shults & O'Rourke, 2012). While TSA has successfully increased passenger screening efficiency and thwarted potential threats—as exemplified by thwarted terrorism plots—it has also faced criticism regarding passenger privacy concerns and perceived inefficiencies (De Oto et al., 2020). Productivity benchmarks show improved detection rates, yet TSA’s vast budget—over $8 billion annually—raises questions about cost-effectiveness given ongoing security breaches and passenger dissatisfaction (U.S. DOT, 2023).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

The CBP was created in 2003 through the merger of U.S. Customs Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service, and other agencies, aiming to streamline border security and immigration enforcement (U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 2023). Its core functions involve patrolling borders, inspecting cargo, and managing legal crossings. Successes include increased border apprehensions—especially along the southern border—improvements in cargo screening technology, and the integration of biometric identification systems (Lind, 2020). However, critiques focus on the persistent challenges of illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and cross-border violence. Although funding has been substantial—approaching $18 billion annually—progress in reducing illegal crossings is mixed, and some argue that resources could be better allocated toward technology rather than manpower (García Hernández, 2021). The agency’s refined mission and technological investments have improved border security, but political debates regarding effectiveness persist.

Federal Air Marshal (FAM) Program

The FAM program was established in 1962 and expanded significantly after 9/11 to add a covert layer of air security personnel on commercial flights (Federal Air Marshal Service, 2022). Its mission is to deter and respond to hijackings and terrorist threats covertly. The program has achieved successes in intercepting suspicious individuals and deploying undercover agents, which has enhanced the deterrence of terrorist activities on flights (Ogletree & O’Grady, 2014). Nonetheless, critiques cite high operational costs—estimated at over $300 million annually—and questions about the overall impact on flight safety given the limited number of marshals relative to the total number of flights (Gailey, 2013). Critics also argue that resources could be reallocated or complemented with technology-based security measures to maximize effectiveness (Gordon, 2018).

Evaluation and Critique

Overall, these agencies have made measurable strides toward enhancing transportation and border security since their inception. The TSA’s technological advancements have increased threat detection, though issues of passenger inconvenience and privacy remain. The CBP’s border enforcement efforts have achieved some success in controlling illegal crossings, yet resource allocation and political factors continue to challenge comprehensive effectiveness. The FAM program’s covert operations contribute positively toward deterring terror threats, although questions about efficiency and overall impact persist.

In terms of justifying their budgets and personnel, each agency demonstrates value, especially considering the complexities and ongoing threats faced. However, there is a clear need for continuous evaluation and adaptation, especially integrating newer technologies such as AI and data analytics, which can potentially improve detection capabilities without proportionally increasing costs. The critiques suggest that a balanced approach—combining personnel, technology, and policy reform—is necessary to maximize return on investment.

Conclusion

The efforts of TSA, CBP, and FAM programs have been vital to U.S. national security, with notable achievements in threat detection, border control, and aviation safety. Despite challenges, their ongoing evolution and technological enhancements indicate a commitment to improving effectiveness. Continued assessment of their performance relative to budget and personnel expenditures is crucial to ensure that their operations truly justify the investments, ultimately contributing toward safer and more secure transportation and border environments.

References

De Oto, B., Murtagh, A., & Kavanagh, G. (2020). Privacy concerns and passenger perceptions of airport security procedures. Journal of Transportation Security, 13(3), 123-135.

Federal Air Marshal Service. (2022). About the Federal Air Marshal Service. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/operational-initiatives/federal-air-marshals

García Hernández, M. (2021). Border security technology and its implications. Border & Migration Studies, 45(2), 210-230.

Gordon, S. (2018). Re-evaluating the efficacy of the Federal Air Marshal Program. Airline & Airport Law Review, 22, 78-86.

Lind, R. R. (2020). Advances in border security technology. International Journal of Border Security and Management, 21(4), 567-585.

Ogletree, S. M., & O’Grady, M. (2014). The role of covert security: An analysis of the Federal Air Marshal Service. Security Journal, 27(2), 211-223.

Shults, B., & O'Rourke, R. (2012). Aviation security in the post-9/11 era. Journal of Homeland Security, 16(4), 157-174.

Transportation Security Administration. (2022). TSA mission and history. https://www.tsa.gov/about/tsa-mission-and-history

U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2023). About us. https://www.cbp.gov/about

U.S. Department of Transportation. (2023). FY 2023 budget overview. https://www.transportation.gov/finance/fy2023-budget

United States Customs and Border Protection. (2023). Border security and enforcement. https://www.cbp.gov/border-security