Shawna Robles
1. Describe two strengths and two weaknesses you’ve discovered about homeland security in your previous studies.
One issue within the realm of homeland security that I have found to be both a strength and weakness is border security.  Border security encompasses various aspects within the United States that work together to ensure foreign and domestic terrorism does not occur on American soil.  This also includes land, air and maritime transportation methods in which illegal weapons, drugs and people are entering and being transported throughout the country.  The recent series of Executive Orders in which the President announced were all designed to help protect the country by providing the Department of Homeland Security with “aIDitional resources, tools and personnel to carry out the critical work of securing our borders, enforcing our immigration laws, and ensuring that individuals who pose a threat to national security or public safety cannot enter or remain in our country” (DHS, 2017).  Border security remains to be a hot topic due to the amount of illegal drugs and contraband that are trafficked into and throughout the country daily.  This is just a portion of the major issues DHS faces and continues to combat.
Another strength and weakness I have found within DHS is the creation of the department itself and its history.  This might seem like a strange point to make, however, prior to 9/11 the United States had very little experience with foreign terrorism on American soil.  The previous attack occurred in 1993 with the first bombings of the world trade centers (WTC) by extremists which caused only six deaths and thousands of injuries.  The buildings had remained standing.  Other than the WTC bombing, the Oklahoma City bombing was the only other one carried out domestically.  Most of the attacks on US personnel occurred overseas in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and East Africa.  9/11 and the consequent investigations exposed the inadequacy in aIDressing and thwarting further attacks, the inability to coordinate information collection and the integration among various agencies, ultimately leading to the failure of identifying patterns of behavior which might have provided insight to future problems (Chertoff, 2016).  It was not until 9/11 that DHS was created and programs were developed and implemented into normal emergency service operations.  Federal agencies did not look to each other for support but more as competition and were openly hostile towards one another.  The creation of DHS brought about fusion centers which actively collect, analyze and disseminate intelligence information to various agencies in order to deter illegal activities.
2. Create a draft research question and thesis statement about an issue of significant interest to you – perhaps based on the strengths and weaknesses you provide.
Research Question:
Do US border security practices help protect or hurt the overall security of the nation?
Thesis:
The US Customs and Border Protection Agency is constantly evolving to remain current and stay ahead of the various methods used by criminals and organizations who continue to operate illegally within and around the United States.
References:
Chertoff, Michael. “9/11: Before and After.” Homeland Security Affairs 7, 10 Years After: The 9/11 Essays (September 2011). https://www.hsaj.org/articles/584
DHS. Executive Orders on Protecting the Homeland. (2017, March 06). Retrieved March 07, 2017, from https://www.dhs.gov/executive-orders-protecting-homeland

Ifeanyi Okpalaejesi
Hello Class,
Since I was a child, in Nigeria, I have always been fascinated with the idea of being the cop, capturing the bad guy, and saving the day. It was that childhood fascination that has led me to purse my dream. I came to America in 2014, and since then I have dedicated myself to the pursuit of a degree in the field of Criminology. What attracted me to the subject was the fact that I will be able to use my natural ability to read people. In the sense that I have for most of my life could identify what type of person I am dealing with based on their habits, behaviors, as well as their interaction with people in social environments.
I am not saying that I am a psych, and feel that I do have the natural able to read people, or course not with 100% accuracy, but the challenge of being able to do so it what excites me. When taking HLSS300 Research Methods in Homeland Security Studies, I began to realize that I had a knack for being able to develop research strategies, as well as evaluate data. I also noticed that I could share my findings, in an organized fashion, as well as a way that was coherent to those who read my forums.
I also took PSYC431 Psychology of Disaster to try better understand the psychological and physiological human response to natural and man-made disasters. This was challenging for me because while I could identify those who suffer from this, I don’t yet understand how to deal with victims. I am not well equipped to deal while those that need mental health care. Another weakness that I have is that I still being able to understand the psychological aspects of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). With that said, below is my research question as well as my thesis statement. Also, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my forum this week.
Research Question:
What is the best way to secure the U.S border, while allowing open borders to continue for those who travel, students, and commerce alike?
Thesis Statement:
An increase in Border Patrol staffing, as well as construction of a new infrastructure, with the use of the latest advanced technology, will make for a more secure and more efficient border control environment.
-Ifeanyi O.