Introduction
Establishing terrorism as a delinquency that can be committed locally in the United States has had a dramatic impact on how the policing department handles suspected terrorism. Owing to the creation and passing of the terrorist acts, there has been an upsurge in over the last decade concerning racial profiling. However, to compact the rising racial profiling, there have been laws and regulations that have been created to assist the victims of racial profiling. In light of this, the “Department of Homeland Security” was established to fill the gap in security as well as strengthen interagency relations. And preventing and shielding the American citizen from any terrorist's Act is the primary purpose as to why the division of the homeland was formed.
Terrorism
Since the collapse of the world trade center in the year 2001, the United States have made significant changes that are aimed at combat terrorism acts in the US. And this attack has caused a shockwave throughout the policing department and American in general (The Terrorist Threat Confronting the United States. 2002). Owing to this, there has been an increase in racial profiling over the last few years. In an attempt to detect and prevent terrorist acts before they happen, the Patriot Act was passed and lead to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (Townsend, 2009).
Domestic Terrorism and Its Impact on Policing Strategies
After the 2001 collapse of the world trade center due to the terrorist attack, the government of the United States created and subsequently passed the Patriot Act (Townsend, 2009). The act altered how America viewed terrorism, and this led to the establishment that the act of terrorism as one that can be committed domestically (Perry, 2014). With the Patriot Act being passed, the law enforcement departments or a were permitted to make use of wiretaps, track mobile phone or sim cards, make use of surveillance, assess business records, as well as the delay of warrant notification to identify suspected terrorists. It is important to note that these methods were previously employed top combat mafia but are now primarily used by the Department of Homeland Security to fight domestic terrorism and consequently protect America from another severe attack. Additionally, the Patriot Act improved communication between agencies (Perry, 2014). The different barriers that did not allow the various law enforcement department to share information about terrorist acts. And this prevented terrorists from being discovered and stopped. For instance, the case of Virginia Jihad (Judge Convicts Three In 'Va. Jihad' Case - The Washington Post. n.d.). The interagency communication or the sharing of suspected terrorist actions between the different departments led to the discovery and arrests of a total of nine individuals who were alleged to be terrorists.
The extent of Racial Profiling Over Past 10 Years
The issues of “racial profiling” have been a significant challenge in America, since the 9/11, the problems of racial profiling have significantly increased, with Arabs, Latinos, African Americans, and Muslims being the target for suspected terrorist attacks. Research still shows that the minorities throughout the United States are again victimized when the law enforcement agencies stop, investigate or even search persons based on their race or subjective identity rather than identifiable evidence of illegal actions. Most of the people in the United States that most profiled by law enforcement are of Arab and Muslim communities (“The Persistence of Racial and Ethnic Profiling in The United States. 2007”). And the terrorist attack of the year was an eye-opening to American citizens, and this led to an upsurge in racial profiling.
Assisting Victims of Racial Profiling
The topic of “racial profiling” has been prevalent all over the history of the US. However, owing to the 2001 attack, the issue of racial profiling significantly increased, and for the past decade, it has continued to grow. “Racial profiling” is a prevalent subject in America today, and it is an act contrary to the US constitution (“About the Campaign Against Racial Profiling. n.d.”).
Laws
It is, however, essential to note that apart from the United States constitution and the Bill of Right, that prohibit racial profiling. Additionally, it is vital to note that presently the “End Racial And Religious Profiling Act” was tabled in the House of Representatives in the year 2017, in case this bill is enacted it will then prohibit state, federal as well as local law enforcement agencies from targeting individuals based on their race, gender religion as well as sexual orientation. To a certain that once this bill is enacted that the law enforcement agencies fully implement it, there are policies and procedures put in place to ensure that racial profiling is eliminated.
Services
There are, however, other support groups such as ACLU, which are actively involved in the fight against racial profiling. The victims of racial profiling are allowed to contact the support group, and the issue can be reported to the proper authorities so that the responsible parties can be delta with following the law. Additionally, the victims of racial profiling are allowed to report a complaint with the “department of justice”.
Other Actions
Consequently, the department of justice, through the civil rights division litigation section, is tasked with the responsibility of investigating any racial profiling cases involving law enforcement agencies.
Department of Homeland Security Efforts Towards Terrorism
Since its creation, the Department of Homeland Security has been responsible for bringing thee various law enforcement agencies in an attempt to combat the issuer of domestic terrorism. Regardless of its jurisdiction overlapped by other law enforcement departments in the United States, it communicates vital information with other departments that help detect and prevent terrorist acts (“Department of Homeland Security Strategic Framework for ... n.d.”). The “Department of Homeland Security” is considered as the hub of the information that was previously not shared among all other law enforcement departments. Thorough interagency communication and cooperation, the “Department of Homeland Security” can guarantee the safety of all the United States citizens. Through the use of cybersecurity and other methods, the Homeland Security is abler to investigate and identify possible threats.
Conclusion
Since the 2001 attack on the world trade center, the United States have taken active and huge measure to ensure the safety of its citizens and prevent such attacks in the future. However, this has resulted in increased racial profiling. However, various organizations are putting measures in place to ensure that there is racial equity in America. Through the Patriot Act, the US created the “Department of Homeland Security”, which is working in junction with other law enforcement agencies to identify, prevent, and combat terrorist acts before they happen.
