Introduction
National security issues often involve dealing with cases that arise at state borders. These situations include states’ immigration policies, which regulate the legal aspect of crossing borders for one purpose or another. Border crossing controls address smuggling, illegal passage, illegal movement of weapons or drugs, and many others. The state must take care of conditions at the borders since a lack of control or excessive military authority can lead to acute conflicts. The situation at the Texas border is illustrative because it involves legal and social considerations. It is important to emphasize that the continuing uncertainty at the border is also a signal for action from U.S. and Mexican authorities. Immigration from Mexico is not thought to represent a violation of U.S. security, but the issue of the Texas border remains relevant and intriguing.
Are The Borders Secured?
It is worth beginning with the concept of national security established by U.S. law because it is necessary to understand why immigration may be involved. National security is the environment in which a nation exists, defined as protecting the country from attack by military force. It is seen as a fundamental component of a secure society. Crossing U.S. borders is a matter of national security because it requires controls on the entry and exit of goods, determining the legality of waves of migration and other movements. Immigration itself does not affect U.S. crime statistics, but rather arrest policies are such that migrants are seen as a potential threat (Haggertylower, 2020). Omitting the ethics of this statement, the criminalization of illegal immigrants is a current problem in the U.S. because of the 2013-2015 policies.
Texas’ border policy with Mexico is such that Congress is concerned about the state of its security. Texas is a Republican advantage, so local voters pay attention to immigration much more than other state issues. Repeatedly in the news, there is plenty of information about conflicts in the state: abortion, gun sales, election fraud, and many other pressing issues (Heyman & Woodhouse, 2018). Nevertheless, border security remains the state’s priority, resulting in a steady conflict escalation.
Texas immigration policy touches on economic, legal, social, health, and even environmental issues. The state tightens border crossing rules and document checks, with less and less protection for immigrants’ rights and less attention to security. Researchers note that many Texas actions to deport Mexicans have no legal basis (Heyman & Woodhouse, 2018). In addition, much attention is paid to the legality of the military’s actions: evidence of violence by U.S. border guards continues to appear in the press and studies (Payan & Cruz, 2020). There is frequent deprivation of the right to safe asylum in the U.S., violating asylum law. Such is reflected in Donald Trump’s January 25, 2018, Migrant Protection Protocol. This program required migrants to return to Mexico while the state decided on their immigration. Such actions were later illegal, but it was reinstated in 2021.
Conclusion
Thus, the principle of national security is intertwined with issues of border crossing regulation and an overall strategy for the conduct of military affairs in this area. Immigration policy is a crucial component of the legal system because it is responsible for the consequences of migration. In the United States, migration issues are relevant to the Texas border for many reasons. Texas’ migrant policy is such that the rights of those crossing the border are virtually unprotected. In addition, forced deportation protocols continue to be in effect, and the military uses violent acts.
References
Haggertylower, J. (2020). The evidence on illegal immigration and crime. R Street Institute, 97.
Heyman, J., & Woodhouse, M. (2018). The shadow of the wall: Violence and migration on the U.S.-Mexico border. J. Slack, D. E. Martínez, & S. Whiteford (Eds.). Tucson: University of Arizona Press.
Payan, T., & Cruz, P. L. (Eds.). (2020). Binational commons: institutional development and governance on the U.S.-Mexico border. Tucson: University of Arizona Press.