...National security policy and procedure needs to be improved, specifically in regard to immigration policy and enforcement, airport security, and the monitoring of potential terrorist activity. The events of September 11th sparked a realization about how vulnerable America is. Over the course of the last 16 months, the government has made considerable progress regarding homeland and airport security. After 9/11, airport security tightened up almost instantly. Just recently, it became a law to inspect and X-ray all checked baggage that is loaded onto a plane. Also in the wake of 9/11, the U.S. government established the Department of Homeland Security. They oversee all domestic security issues and evaluate the level of potential danger to the country. They created a "scale" which rates the potential of a possible terrorist attack, and oversees communication between federal and local law enforcement agencies. Despite these reforms, there are still problems that have existed long before September 11th. The security of our borders has been deficient--many people and things pass through them that shouldn't. Many illegal immigrants, as well as students and workers, whose visas have expired long ago, remain in this country...
