US Border Surveillance
Sept.-Oct. 2024: US Border Surveillance
BACKGROUND:
US border security means protecting the borders of the United States to keep the country safe. This includes tools like cameras, drones, and sensors, as well as workers like border patrol agents who watch and guard the borders. Surveillance infrastructure means the tools and technologies used to watch and check the borders, helping border patrol agents see and track activities along the border from a distance.
Those in favor of increasing surveillance believe that it is necessary to improve safety and stop illegal activities, like smuggling drugs or people. They believe that with more cameras and drones, border patrol agents can spot illegal actions quickly. For example, if cameras and drones see someone trying to cross the border illegally, they can alert the border patrol agents right away. The agents can then go to the exact spot and arrest the person before they get too far. This helps make sure that only legal and safe entries happen, making the country safer.
Those who oppose increased surveillance believe that it might invade people’s privacy and hurt communities. They worry that adding more surveillance might spy on people living near the border, recording their every move and making them feel watched all the time. For example, cameras and drones might capture videos of people in their yards or walking to school, even if they are not doing anything wrong. This could make daily activities, like going to school or work, feel uncomfortable and stressful. People might feel like they have no privacy and are always being watched, which could increase feelings of stress and fear.
Increased Border Surveillance (PRO)
Increased Border Surveillance (CON)
Terrorists and dangerous people might try to enter the country to cause harm. Increased surveillance with cameras, drones, and sensors can spot these threats quickly. This helps border patrol agents catch and stop them before they enter, keeping millions of people safe.
Illegal immigrants sometimes take jobs that pay very little, which can hurt workers who are here legally and need those jobs to support their families. Better surveillance reduces illegal entries by stopping people who try to cross the border without permission. This helps protect jobs for legal workers and keeps wages fair.
Illegal immigration can overcrowd schools, hospitals, and other services, making it hard for legal residents to get the help they need. Increased surveillance helps catch more illegal entries, ensuring that resources are available for people who are legally allowed to use them. This leads to better quality and availability of services for legal residents.
Drug cartels try to bring illegal drugs into the country, leading to more crime and health problems. With advanced surveillance technology, border patrol can watch for and track suspicious activities, catching and stopping drug smugglers more effectively. This keeps communities safer and reduces crime related to drugs.
Human traffickers exploit and harm people by bringing them across the border illegally. Improved surveillance helps by watching for suspicious movements and alerting border patrol quickly. This enables them to catch traffickers and rescue victims, protecting vulnerable people and preventing exploitation.
Surveillance tools like cameras and drones don’t always work well. People trying to cross the border illegally can find ways to avoid being seen. They might use special clothes to hide from cameras or break sensors. This means that even with lots of expensive technology, many people still get across without being caught. The surveillance doesn’t stop as many illegal crossings as hoped, making it a waste of money and effort.
Setting up and running all this surveillance equipment is very expensive. The government would need to spend billions of dollars on cameras, drones, and computers. When we spend so much on border surveillance, we have less money available for other important things like schools, hospitals, or security.
Powerful cameras and listening devices can see and hear a lot. They might record innocent people who live near the border, not just those trying to cross illegally. This feels like the government is always watching, even when people aren’t doing anything wrong. It’s not fair to treat everyone like they might be a criminal. This goes against the principle of protecting peoples rights.
When it’s harder to cross at usual places because of surveillance, people try more dangerous routes. They might walk through very hot deserts or climb over high mountains. These journeys are very risky, and more people could get hurt or die trying to enter the country. Even if we don’t agree with illegal crossing, we shouldn’t make things so hard that people lose their lives.
Borders are made-up lines that stop people from moving freely. Many people want to move for better jobs, safety, or to be with family. Increased surveillance makes this harder. This isn’t fair or kind. People should be free to move around the world, like they can within their own country. Surveillance keeps an unfair system in place, making life harder for those already struggling. It goes against the moral belief that all people should be treated equally with dignity and respect.
REQUIRED RESEARCH (VIDEOS & ARTICLES)
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OPTIONAL RESEARCH (ARTICLES & VIDEOS)
Please consider watching/reading the following research areas in order to prepare for upcoming events.
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ADDITIONAL RESEARCH (Evidence & Outlines)
We provide students with some sample evidence and/or outlines to help them prepare for any upcoming events. This research can be copied word-for-word, or can be modified to fit the students needs. Copying these and other outlines is proper (it’s not cheating). I hope they are useful for you.