HOMELAND SECURITY

 Running head: HOMELAND SECURITY 1
Homeland Security: Immigration Policy
Student Name
University
HOMELAND SECURITY 2
Outline
I. Introduction
II. Homeland Security and Immigration Policy
A. Homeland Security
B. Immigration Policy
C. Immigration Policy in the United States
D. Evolution of the United States Immigration Policy
E. Categories of the Lawful Admission to the United States
F. Enforcement of Immigration Laws
III. Conclusion
HOMELAND SECURITY 3
Homeland Security: Immigration Policy
Introduction
Immigration laws are a vital element for a country to develop and be safe; they
are used to regulate the entry of foreign citizens into their respective countries.
Moreover, policies are aimed at protecting refugees as well as those seeking for
temporary or permanent asylum who may face abuse in their native land. Immigration
policy has been instrumental in ensuring the safety of both visitors and locals in any
given country. In addition, it has provided opportunities for tourism and international
growth, especially in developing countries. It also contributes to restoring confidence in
the government's sole objective of protecting its citizen's. There are various laws
governing immigration policies. In fact, immigration policy has undergone several
changes all over the globe. For instance, since it was established, the institution of
immigration had been the subject of legislation in the United States. It is quite important
to note that immigration policies adopted immediately aroused sharp debates among
critics in terms of human rights concerning the freedom of interaction as well as the right
of free movement. These have caused jitters in some countries, especially in the United
States and the United Kingdom, which most people from developing countries see as
safe havens. As this debate continues, governments of these countries keep
strengthening their safety measures through legislations on immigration policy. This
paper will explore immigration policy as entailed in homeland security. It will also
endeavor to examine its contents as well as the changes it has undergone since its
conception to the present day.
Homeland Security and Immigration Policy
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Homeland Security
“Homeland security” is a term used to refer to the US government department
agencies credited with the responsibility of protecting its states from any possible
terrorist threats. In essence, its main concern is to ensure the protection of its citizens
from terrorists' attacks. Their key aims are to try to minimize any hazards that may arise
or any damages that can be possibly caused by any intruders. Moreover, they are also
credited with reducing the country's vulnerability to terrorist acts. This cannot be
achieved without involving immigration laws and policies. It is for this reason that
homeland security works in close collaboration with immigration department to ensure
that there is no influx of extremists into the United States of America (Kettl, 2007). It is
clear that terrorist threats can arise from within or outside of the country. It is also well
known that most patriotic United States nationals cannot conduct activities aimed at
endangering the lives of its fellow compatriots. This leaves one possible cause of such
activities: an enemy living within the borders of the United States or outside the country
but planning to enter. For the criminal to get access into the country, the passage
through immigration procedure should be passed through (Kettl, 2007). For this reason,
immigration policies have a direct link with homeland security and require close
monitoring to step up security.
The first records of the term “homeland security” dates back to the 2001
September attacks. There followed a reorganization of some of the main United States'
government agencies. It may, therefore, be used to refer to actions or activities of
homeland security department as well as other stakeholders, like Senators and
Congress on homeland security. Homeland security department, therefore, has the 
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responsibility of protecting its citizens from external aggression, threats, and attacks.
This department, along with Homeland Defense, incorporates over 180 federal
agencies, including the National Guard agency, among others. This shows how crucial
the functions of this department are. In this regard, immigration policies form an integral
part of homeland security, as scrutiny of entrants into the United States, have to be
made with reference to Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Homeland Security Act of
2002). Furthermore, it is through the strengthening of immigration policies that close
scrutiny can be achieved to weed out extremists and terrorist threats, which would
endanger the country and its inclusions. Homeland security and immigration policies
are, therefore, inseparable as they work hand in hand to ensure the safety of the
country.
Immig