National Security Threats at the U.S.-Mexico Border
Abstract
This paper will analyze the role of the National Guard in border security at the U.S.-Mexico border in the face of national security threats. It will first identify the scope and nature of the national security threats posed by three principle phenomena: transnational crime, terrorism, and illegal immigration. It intends to show how armed Transnational Criminal Organizations, specifically Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs), represent the gravest threat to U.S national security at the border, followed by the spectre of terrorists. Though it is a very serious socioeconomic issue, illegal immigration is not considered a grave national security threat in this paper. Cash is defined as the center of gravity for DTOs, and cash has enhanced a preexisting Political-Criminal Nexus (PCN) in Mexico. The paper will conclude with recommendations for establishing and implementing U.S. policies that will assist and augment overwhelmed law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in securing the U.S.-Mexico border. It will examine solutions generally, with a more detailed analysis of border security and use of the National Guard in that role.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 24, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA565218
Entities
People
- Thomas R. Rasmussen
Organizations
- The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy