Homeland Security Legal and Ethical Issues

Homeland Security Legal Issues.
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Homeland Security Legal Issues.
Introduction
Homeland Security is an important sector in the United States, responsible for protecting the country's borders, transportation systems, and critical infrastructure. The nation has historically been a target of terrorist attacks from within and outside its borders. Even today, it remains a target. The Department of homeland security was formed in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks with the primary duty of safeguarding the country's borders. However, concerns about the legal and ethical implications of Homeland Security measures have been raised, with privacy, liberty, and security among the key considerations. This paper aims to reflect on the legal and ethical issues related to Homeland Security and their impact on the United States.
Homeland Security's legal and ethical issues
Reading about Homeland Security's legal and ethical issues has significantly impacted me. I have come to understand that while the Department's primary objective is safeguarding the country, the measures employed should not infringe on people's fundamental rights (Kaplan, 2007). Ever since the 9/11 terrorist attack on American soil, the country has taken a hybrid approach toward homeland security. While there has always been the need to uphold human rights, some situations often call for the opposite, especially when the lives of many are at stake. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance between security and privacy, especially when implementing measures such as surveillance (Klitou, 2014). These readings have made me more aware of the various measures implemented by Homeland Security and how they affect the public (Leone & Anrig,2003).
Although the material on Homeland Security Legal and Ethical Issues has been quite impactful, it has raised questions about the potential impact of Homeland Security measures on people's fundamental rights (Lygutas, 2009). It is crucial to consider the long-term implications of these measures on people's rights, particularly regarding surveillance (Mack, 2014). With technological advancements, private space is increasingly becoming smaller and smaller by the day. Surveillance technology has now made it quite difficult even to have privacy within one's own house, as anything can be tapped or monitored without the subject's permission. The American government is not new to scandals involving the spying of private individuals. This could only worsen and result in profound legal implications if the Department does not comply with the law.
The material has also left me with several questions about the legality of the measures employed by Homeland Security (Mack, 2016). For example, what are the legal implications of using advanced surveillance technologies like facial recognition technology to track individuals? Given that every citizen has a right to privacy, isn’t this a direct and intentional infringement of these rights, given that these operations are usually done without their consent? How can the Department ensure that the measures implemented comply with the law and do not infringe on p...