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White Paper

Jeremy D. Morales

American Public University System

HLSS311: Border and Coastal Security

Professor George Faron

Due Date: January 26, 2025

Executive Summary

With my position as the new Secretary of Homeland Security, I will start with

humanitarian efforts for illegal immigrants and push for my strategies which are based on not

only humanitarian efforts but also on economic gains. This white paper sheds light on the

different border policies with a focus on open and closed borders, migration, asylum seeking,

and economic recovery as COVID-19 impacted these policies vastly. Each policy carries its

pros and cons. The “open” borders are the process enabling entry to a nation, and “closed”

borders signify more control over entry regulated by the state and its national policies. The

fact that the United States can get attacked, and was at one point, poses far greater risks,

which makes a completely open policy an extreme risk to the United States. The management

of illegal migration must also deal with the people’s concerns. There is a certain degree of

risk that is imposed on the nation when there is complete openness for asylum seekers, as

they can easily grab organizations without any scrutiny. With open borders, undeveloped

countries can trespass in strong nations and take advantage of their resources posing hindered

economic growth. Furthermore breaking through these factors brings forward the Fourth

Amendment where there lack of border searches, which shows the mess that surrounds them.

To mitigate these issues for the next two years, there is a need to have some form of border

control, humanitarian treatment, and economic stimulation.

Open and Closed Borders: What’s the Difference

The phrases “open borders” and “closed borders” are crucial to understanding the

policies surrounding borders, especially for people hoping to claim asylum. A border that is

open increases the likelihood of a person entering a country and claiming refuge, however, it

also poses a significant risk to the country’s security. An open borders policy is susceptible to

terrorism and other forms of criminal activity as there is no proper vetting in place to screen

individuals. This poses a serious threat to the safety of a nation (USCRI, 2024). Closed
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borders on the other hand can effectively screen those looking to enter a given country,

therefore looking out for the safety of the citizens while at the same time dealing with the

potential dangers posed by unrestricted migration points.

Perpetual Challenges of Closed Border Policies

Arguments against closed border policies dictate that nations do not have sufficient or

humane policy guidelines to incorporate the violations of illegal immigration and its labour

exploitation. To ensure the humane treatment of migrants, closed borders should not provide

unrestricted access to the country. Close borders should focus on implementing legal

mechanisms that allow migrants fair and humane treatment during the legal process. By

doing this, people are allowed access to legal documentation for people seeking asylum

without having to worry about uncontrolled access to the country (Mastrorillo et al., 2020).

This process is ethical and reduces the problems that come with counteracting border security

measures.

Legal Framework: "Border Searches" Exceptions

Keeping in mind the constitution of a given country when implementing border

control is crucial. The United States Fourth Amendment recognizes unreasonable searches

and seizures of a person’s property, although there are exceptions at the border. Cross-border

searches commence in the absence of a warrant or reasonable suspicion of a crime having

been committed and tend to focus on law enforcement immigration and customs (Gonzales,

2020). Ensuring the lawfulness of such searches guarantees the protection of national interest

without infringement of liberties.

Recommendation

Establish Secure, Compassionate Immigration Policies

These policies should be enforced within the first 12-24 months of an administration’s

term since it is important to take a much more accepting stance on treating asylum seekers.
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This means making border security more rigid, such as posting more agents at entry points,

while at the same time expediting the asylum process. Such programs enable the expeditious

granting of asylum to those migrants who urgently need it and have been properly vetted.

Restoration or Recovery of the Economy

To maintain the balance, our policies should focus on documented immigrants and

allocating them to areas with a shortage of labour, which serves the economy and national

security. The government should create pathways for those who qualify, as it will make

safeguarding U.S. interests and economic restoration possible. This can be done by targeting

visa programs that focus on individuals needed in key industries (Kerr et al., 2021).

Security and Freedoms

Amendments to search border policies are crucial so that they address concerns of

privacy and individual rights while maintaining a solid foundation of national security.

Increasing training for law enforcement officers on humane treatment, ethical practices, and

cultural sensitivity promotes the national interest without violating individual rights

(Gonzales, 2020). This approach herein provides defined security measures that will respond

to possible threats while accommodating verified asylum seekers through open-door policies.

Strengthening International Cooperation

Cooperation at the international position is key in addressing the problems that lead to

migration and creating an environment in which there is no apprehension capturing issues

related to uncontrolled immigration into the US. The administration has to work with partner

countries to create smart solutions that deal with violence, poverty, and employment

opportunities in the countries from which migrants are coming. With such actions, the US can

help reduce migration challenges without sacrificing important factors of security and dignity

(Mastrorillo et al., 2020).

Conclusion
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The analysis of the conflict around open and closed border policies during the

COVID-19 period brings closer inspection of national security issues together with

humanitarian aspects and the case for migrants is well established. Past lessons should be

used as a training ground to offer education on security issues on how to control migration

policies. Such a middle ground requires caring for the welfare of people while controlling

borders and monitoring their movements in the country. Caring for the welfare of migrants is

a good treatment but should not include unrestricted access for everyone, which they can take

advantage of with no boundaries or regulations.

References

Uscri. (2024, June 21). Looking Beyond Legal Complexities: A Discussion with USCRI

Mexico Staff on the Impact of Changes to U.S. Border Policy on Asylum Seekers.

https://refugees.org/looking-beyond-legal-complexities-a-discussion-with-uscri-

mexico-staff-on-the-impact-of-changes-to-u-s-border-policy-on-asylum-seekers/

Gonzales, S. (2020). Border crossings, internal checkpoints, and the Fourth Amendment in

the Southern district. CWSL Scholarly

Commons. https://scholarlycommons.law.cwsl.edu/cwlr/vol52/iss2/2/

Hernández, C. (2022) (INTER-AGENCY HUMANITARIAN EVALUATION of the COVID-19

Humanitarian Response.

https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/sites/default/files/migrated/2023-03/Inter-

Agency%20Humanitarian%20Evaluation%20COVID-19.%20Main%20Report.pdf

Pekkala Kerr, S., & R Kerr, W. (2021). Immigration policy levers for US innovation and

start- ups. DE

Gruyter. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.7208/chicago/9780226805597-

007/pdf

Mastrorillo, M., Scognamillo, A., & Ignaciuk, A. (2024). Training Refugees: Lights and

shadows in the context of the Self-Reliance Strategy implemented in Uganda. The

Journal of Development Studies, 60(3), 406–

431. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2023.2282366