Shifting Strategies

Homeland Security vows to offer protection during COVID-19

  • By Barry Goodson
  • Oct 06, 2020

The onslaught of COVID-19 has elevated security measures in every border control operation within the Department of Homeland Security. U.S. entry points such as airports, ports and borders are being monitored with many travelers being directed to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

TSA is standing firm with efforts to diminish the probability of the disease being purposefully or unknowingly transported into the United States. TSA has allowed some employees to “self-isolate at home due to being at higher risk for contracting COVID-19 if exposed.” Other federal agencies have adopted special measures as well.

U.S. IMMIGRATIONS AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) faces significant challenges throughout this crisis. ICE and DHS energies address our borders, monitor immigration and criminal activity such as terrorism, gang activity, drug smuggling and human trafficking.

Currently, ICE is not enforcing operations at or near healthcare facilities, except in the most extraordinary of circumstances. Individuals who are in fear of civil immigration enforcement should not refrain from seeking medical care.

U.S. BORDER PATROL

One of the more significant actions taken by the Border Patrol and TSA relates to the facilitation of expedited efforts to move medical and personal protective equipment across borders as rapidly as possible. The Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with UPS and other similar organizations created “Project Airbridge” to move such services and supplies across the United States.

Separate border control efforts remain limited to essential travel restrictions, which include U.S. citizens and lawful, permanent residents, education-related travel, people traveling to the United States based on work-related activities, and other similar constraints (nafsa.org, 2020). Asylum seekers along the Mexico/ U.S. border have posed serious COVID-19 considerations as well. According to a recent Newsweek article, a majority of Americans say they support efforts to close the border, reduce immigration and ban asylum seekers during the coronavirus pandemic.

SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS RELATING TO TERRORISM

Terrorist groups have flooded social media with encouragement for terrorists to seize this opportunity. With shelter-in-place orders in most states remaining in effect, the nation has seen a decrease in crime overall, with gun violence seeing a steady increase. A University of California research paper estimated that in March through May 2020, there was a 64.3 percent increase in gun sales over what would have been expected at that time based on previous years.

Additionally, the threat of lone-wolf terrorism—like the attack at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas, in May 2020—suggests the possibility of acts of terror due to the current situation with COVID-19.

The Department of Homeland Security with cooperation with related federal and state agencies have responded to the challenges arising from COVID-19, even with the loss of their own personnel.

Social distancing policies, along with shelter in place orders, working from home and other health strategies, may indeed prevent the rapid spread of this virus. Will crime continue to rise during this “new normal?” Will terrorists, lone wolfs or others take advantage of this dynamic situation? These answers lie in wait for us in the near future.

This article originally appeared in the October 2020 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Barry Goodson, a former Marine and law enforcement officer, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master's degree in administrative justice and security. He teaches criminal justice at Columbia Southern University, is the vice president of the Human Trafficking Investigations & Training Institute and an administrative trainer for the Department of Homeland Security Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program. Goodson is also an author of numerous academic papers and two books, “CAP Mot” and “Country Cop: True Tales from a Texas Deputy Sheriff.”

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.