Are cross border controls working?
The subject of drug trafficking, people trafficking and terrorism along the US border is something which has been discussed in great over the last few years. Even though the US authorities, the Mexican authorities and to a lesser extent the Canadian authorities have made great strides into this particular area of concern it appears as though there is still much work to be done.
Drug running on the Mexican border
A recent report by CNN revealed the existence of a high quality tunnel which zig-zaged across the Mexican and US border, apparently created by drug traffickers looking to supply the US market with drugs as well as firearms. While this particular tunnel discovery hit the headlines because of the quality of the work which had gone into building the tunnel, including electric, supporting walls and other everyday building standards, apparently this is one of dozens of tunnels discovered on a regular basis between the Mexican and US border.
Security on the US/Mexico border
As one poster put it, “the more security above land the more the drug traffickers will move below land”, which about sums up the problems associated with illegal trafficking of drugs, firearms and people between Mexico and the US. Despite the investment of millions of dollars into border security by the US and Mexican authorities it appears as though the traffickers are one step ahead on every occasion. While it would be incorrect to suggest that the increased surveillance of the border and the presence of border control guards has not had an impact, is has certainly not put off the most determined of criminal gangs looking to enter the US by any means.
To read the official press and the official line from the US authorities you would be forgiven for believing the situation was well under control when in fact the massive border is literally rife for such trafficking, much of which goes on undetected.
The Canadian border with the US
The Canadian/US border has also come in for significant attention over the last few years especially in light of the 911 attack. Indeed it has been revealed that one particular US politician falsely accused the Canadian authorities of allowing terrorists across the border unchallenged, with many people believing this was a cynical attempt to deflect the then the growing criticism of the US authorities. However, while the Mexican border is by far and away the more popular of the two there is no doubt that significant smuggling of firearms, drugs and people does occur across the US/Canadian border.
It is easy to forget that this is a border of which hundreds of miles are unguarded allowing people to literally walk from Canada to the US unchallenged. While again it would be wrong to suggest that the Canadian authorities have not made headway into this problem there are literally hundreds of miles of the border in terrain which is only accessible to those very determined to make the break.
The impact of cross-border smuggling on the US economy
Even though America regularly receives massive attention with regards to the problem of drugs, firearms and people trafficking, it is easy to forget that this is a massive country which dwarfs many around the world. However, the impact which these issues have on the US economy has been covered in detail on numerous occasions and while the US authorities continue to throw hundreds of millions of dollars at the problem it refuses to go away.
Indeed many people believe that swine flu, which has been traced back to Mexico, entered the US via the US/Mexican border. The impact which this particular issue is having on the US population, and those around the world, is unrivalled in modern times and further highlights the problem that the US authorities have in protecting every inch of their border.
Visas
As we have covered on numerous occasions, the US authorities have severely tightened their visa application rules and the number of overseas visitors allowed into the country. In what many believe has been an overreaction to the issue, the US government has also fought to gain access to passenger lists for every mode of transport into the US even prior to their departure from their home country. This increased paperwork for the government and foreign visitors to the US has impacted upon visitor levels but the US is still a significant attraction for many expats.
The US recession
Despite assurances that the US government now has control of the US economy there are still significant fears of a further downturn in the short to medium term. The government has thrown literally trillions of dollars at the problem and, much like the situation in the UK, this is literally the final throw of the dice. It will take the US population and US government years to pay back funds which have been borrowed to try and refloat the economy, something which has not gone unnoticed in worldwide investment markets.
There has been a significant backlash in the US with regards to illegal immigrants who are “taking US jobs”, much like the situation which is currently ongoing in the UK. In many cases this has led to violence between the various parties and pushed the subject of illegal immigration and border security back to the top of the pile.
Conclusion
In many ways the US government is in a no-win situation with regards to border security and immigration issues. The significant border on the Mexican side and the often inaccessible border on the Canadian side offer different challenges and different problem for the US authorities. However, it is the ongoing problem of drug trafficking, people trafficking and potential terrorists entering the country from the Mexican side which is causing problems and to a lesser extent from the northern border.
America has had a problem with illegal immigrants for many years although the ongoing recession, which has seen many US citizens lose their jobs, and has caused significant friction in US society and the US workplace. Even though the US government needs to be seen to be throwing significant money at the problem of border security and illegal immigration, more and more this looks like an issue which they will never totally control. The best they can hope for is a reduction in the instances of trafficking of various materials and people.
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Trafficking and smuggling has become serious threat to worldwide and governments are fighting with this serious problems.