Analysis of the Homeland Security Act and Controversial Areas

This report provides an analysis of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, established in response to the 9/11 attacks, and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The report examines two contentious areas within the Act: the perception of DHS as a counter-terrorism measure versus its primary role in preventing terrorism, and the link between terrorism and human trafficking. The analysis highlights that DHS's primary focus is on domestic security, while counter-terrorism efforts are largely conducted overseas. It also discusses how terrorist groups may use human trafficking to generate funds. The report concludes by emphasizing the necessity of the DHS in preventing domestic terrorism and ensuring the safety of citizens.

Running head: TERRORISM AND HOMELAND SECURITY
TERRORISM AND HOMELAND SECURITY
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1TERRORISM AND HOMELAND SECURITY
Executive Summary
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the emergence of the Homeland Security Act. It also
discusses the two specific areas, which are considered to be contentious. Lastly, the paper
summarizes the entire information, which was stated in the paper.

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Discussion........................................................................................................................................3
Homeland Security Act, 2002......................................................................................................3
Two areas which are publicly controversial................................................................................3
Analysis of the areas which are contentious................................................................................4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................5

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Introduction
This report discusses the various aspects of the Homeland Security Act, which was set up
in the United States. The paper identifies and debates over two controversial areas, which are
stated in the act, and gives a detailed discussion on the same.
Discussion
Homeland Security Act, 2002
The U.S. government brought the Homeland Security Act of 2002 as a consequence of
the 11th of September attack. The government with the main intention of preventing terrorism in
the United States introduced the Act. The Department of Homeland Security was established
with the intention of acting as a separate department and it would supervise and carry out the
functions of providing safety to its citizens and preventing terrorist activities in the future
(Baggett & Simpkins, 2018) .
Two areas which are publicly controversial
DHS mainly works to prevent terrorism or terrorist activities from occurring within United
States. There are areas which are considered to be contentious and thus can be a topic of debate
for the public.
 The Department of Homeland Security has been instituted to prevent the acts of terrorism
but few are of the notion that DHS acts as a counter terrorism measure.
 The main objective of DHS is to prevent terrorist activities but it also supervises and tries
to prevent human trafficking. The main issue of debate is how the act of terrorism is
increasing human trafficking.

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Analysis of the areas which are contentious
The first point talks about the Department of Homeland Security being recognized as a
counter terrorism measure which is not the case. The Act was established and the Department
was set up to prevent terrorist activities mainly. There were certain other objectives for instance,
it also ensured safety of the citizens during the time of disasters, it tried to prevent cyber-attacks
or threats. It was mainly instituted to secure the domestic interests of the country. Counter
terrorism measures were taken after the September 11 attacks, which were headed by the
government after informing the United Nations about the same. The counter terrorism acts are
fought overseas mostly and people who are a part of the military fight it. Thus, DHS does not
take counter terrorism measures(Lansford & Pauly Jr, 2016).
The second point talks about the influence terrorism has on human trafficking. There
have been various connections, which were found on this. Human trafficking occurred in order
to raise sufficient amount of funds for the terrorist groups (Gonzales, 2013). Some other reports,
which were laid down by the U.N. Security Council, stated the reason for the increase of the
crime of human trafficking were to lure individuals into joining terrorist groups. Thus, these
statements were contentious (Welch, 2016).
Conclusion
Thus, from the above discussion, it can be concluded, that the emergence of the DHS was
a necessity which would aim to prevent terrorist activities which are happening within its nation.
The Homeland Security Act was created for the prevention of various terrorist activities. It
ensures safety of its citizens from any kind of threats and activities which involves terrorism
from happening in the future.

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References
Baggett, R. K., & Simpkins, B. K. (2018). Homeland security and critical infrastructure
protection. ABC-CLIO.
Gonzalez, E. (2013). The nexus between human trafficking and terrorism/organized crime:
Combating human trafficking by creating a cooperative law enforcement system.
https://scholarship.shu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1227&context=student_scholarship.
Lansford, T., & Pauly Jr, R. J. (2016). To protect and defend: US homeland security policy.
Routledge.
Welch, S. A. (2016). Human trafficking and terrorism: Utilizing national security resources to
prevent human trafficking in the Islamic state. Duke J. Gender L. & Pol'y, 24, 165.
https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/djglp24&div=10&id=&p
age=