25 Sep intelligence community

Soon after the 9/11 Commission Report was released, Congress passed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA) of 2004, which prescribed far-reaching reforms for the intelligence community. Of significant relevance was the call for the creation of two intelligence entities to address many of the coordination and information-sharing problems that were identified by the 9/11 Commission. These two entities are the Director of National Intelligence and the National Counterterrorism Center. However, some within the law enforcement and intelligence communities feel that these reorganizational changes have made little difference in the coordination and sharing of timely and needed intelligence, which is critical to successful counterterrorism efforts.

Before you begin this discussion, be sure to review the following readings and videos listed on the Learning and Assessment Activities page:

Best, R. A. (2004). CRS report for Congress: The national intelligence director and intelligence analysis (Links to an external site.) [PDF file size 41.4 KB]. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from http://www.fas.org/irp/crs/RS21948.pdf (Links to an external site.)

Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., & Coppola, D. P. (2016). Introduction to homeland security: Principles of all-hazards risk management (5th ed.). Waltham, MA: Elsevier.

Films Media Group. (Producer). (2004). 9/11 Commission report: Unfinished business (Links to an external site.) [Video File] [4 min 53 sec]. In Global Jihad. Retrieved from http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=http://digital.films.com.vlib.excelsior.edu/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=8496&xtid=35376&loid=27351 (Links to an external site.)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2012). Implementing 9/11 Commission recommendations: Progress report 2011 (Links to an external site.)[PDF file size 261 KB]. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/implementing-9-11-commission-report-progress-2011.pdf

After reviewing the assignments, lectures, PowerPoint presentations, as well as the readings and videos, you have a better understanding of the controversial issues surrounding the reorganization of the intelligence community, especially the creation of the new Director of National Intelligence position within the DHS. For this discussion, respond to the following:

Discuss why you think the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations to reorganize improved or did not improve the effectiveness of the intelligence community in protecting the nation from terrorist attacks.

The emphasis on controlling illegal immigration for reasons of economic vitality, national security, and crime control continues to grow even after the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was subsumed within the Department of Homeland Security. Immigration is closely tied to border security because the function of immigration is to manage the access of foreign citizens into the United States. The granting of residency and citizenship to foreign nationals is guided by the nation’s immigration laws. There exists enormous global demand for U.S. residency and citizenship, given the international perception of the strength of the U.S. economy, the high standard of living, employment opportunities, and the prospect of a better life. However, some argue that, despite the progress outlined in the 9/11 Commission’s Progress Report for 2011, we have lost control of the borders and are not sufficiently able to prevent terrorists from entering or remaining in the United States.

Before you begin this discussion, be sure to review the following readings and videos listed on the Learning and Assessment Activities page:

Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., & Coppola, D. P. (2016). Introduction to homeland security: Principles of all-hazards risk management (5th ed.). Waltham, MA: Elsevier.

Films Media Group. (Producer). (2004). Concerns about terrorists at the border (Links to an external site.) [Video file] [1 min 37 sec]. In Broken Border: America’s Immigration Dilemma. Retrieved from http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=http://digital.films.com.vlib.excelsior.edu/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=8496&xtid=37482&loid=50179

Painter, W. L. (2013). CRS report for Congress: Issues in homeland security policy for the 113th Congress (Links to an external site.) [PDF file size 768 KB]. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R42985.pdf

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2012). Implementing 9/11 Commission recommendations: Progress report 2011 (Links to an external site.)[PDF file size 261 KB]. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/implementing-9-11-commission-report-progress-2011.pdf

After reviewing the assignments, lectures, PowerPoint presentations, as well as the readings and videos, you will be prepared to discuss how effective our nation is at managing its immigration laws. For this discussion, respond to the following:

Within the context of the 9/11 Commission’s Progress Report 2011, discuss what you think is needed in a comprehensive immigration reform act to better secure the U.S. borders.