Border Security

Abstract

Border security is a crucial part of the country’s broader homeland security efforts. It is a multifaceted and complex issue which attempts to accomplish two seemingly contradictory objectives – the prevention of people and goods from entering the country, while at the same time, facilitating lawful travel and trade. Although it is primarily a federal responsibility, securing the border crosses over multiple homeland security domains, as well jurisdictions. In recent years, numerous strategies and structures have been implemented to foster a whole-of-government approach to border security. This chapter presents border security in the larger context of homeland security. It examines the strategies and coordinating structures developed to create a secured border and an overview of the interaction of law enforcement agencies at the various jurisdictional levels. Although these structures create a robust network of mutually supportive agencies to effectuate border security, a major strategic challenge to securing the nation’s borders still persists.

Citation

Lawler, R.M. (2021), "Border Security", Landahl, M.R. and Thornton, T.E. (Ed.) The Role of Law Enforcement in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Community, Environment and Disaster Risk Management, Vol. 24), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 89-110. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2040-726220210000024005