Homeland Security vs. Civil Liberty

By the end of December, United States border guards will begin fingerprinting everyone that enters the United States from Canada, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security is really trying to raise the bar in protection.

Homeland Security is currently expanding their collection of fingerprints, from U.S. citizens and foreign citizens. They are also taking digital information from 50 U.S. land crossings.

Keep in mind when you travel this winter that your information will stay on file. U.S. officials at the Mexican border have already started this process, especially in California, Arizona and Texas. Motion-detecting sensors and both land- and air-based surveillance of normally deserted areas will also help Homeland Security. It used to be that comprehensive files of citizens were only feasible in movies featuring the CIA, FBI or other secret governmental agency, but information is becoming more common for other agencies. Travels through intersections, banks and even cell-phone tracking through shopping malls can now be tracked with technology, either by tracking active cell phones, or by monitoring cameras. Our movements can be accounted for at nearly all times, unless we are at home, where cameras do not document our every move.

The idea of terrorism is still fresh in our minds, and so many citizens do not object to the heightened watch over U.S. citizens as well as foreign visitors. The erosion of our civil liberties is accepted by many who believe their lack of rights will aid the government in the protection against terrorists. The terrorists of the 9/11 attacks did their dirty work from planes, and had to pass airport security first, so America is tightening its strong grip on border security. But many Canadians crossing the border will not be subject to the fingerprint scanning if they have visas. Unless everyone is scanned and printed, it is not fair to allow certain people through without documenting their print. The Canadian border is also staffed by one guard for every 10 at the Mexican border. Obviously the Canadians are not a threat.

This new technology will aid the government in keeping tabs on all citizens, and having fingerprints on hand when investigating a crime may make the convictions go quicker. But many citizens are nervous knowing their every move can be monitored by the government with no extra effort on their part. The holidays have been a time of heightened alert since the twin towers were attacked, so citizens should still be careful and Homeland Security must be tight, but how strong will we allow them to become?