This paper looks at the development of U.S. immigration policy since 1965. In attempts to lower the number of immigrants from the southern border, Congress and the Executive branch have passed immigration measures that bolster illegal immigration. Furthermore, these policies have created an agricultural sector that is reliant on illegal migrant workers. However, recent changes in immigrant characteristics and attitudes are negatively impacting farmers. Going forward, temporary migrant worker programs must be expanded and improved upon to ensure the health of the agricultural industry.

The dissolution of the Soviet Union coupled with the growing sophistication of international terror organizations has brought about a desire to ensure that a sound infrastructure exists to interdict smuggled nuclear material prior to leaving its country of origin. To combat the threat of nuclear trafficking, radiation portal monitors (RPMs) are deployed around the world to intercept illicit material while in transit by passively detecting gamma and neutron radiation. Portal monitors in some locations have reported abnormally high gamma background count rates. The higher background data has been attributed, in part, to the concrete surrounding the portal monitors. Higher background can ultimately lead to more material passing through the RPMs undetected. This work is focused on understanding the influence of the concrete surrounding the monitors on the total gamma ray background for the system. This research employed a combination of destructive and nondestructive analytical techniques with computer simulations to form a model that may be adapted to any RPM configuration. Six samples were taken from three different composition concrete slabs. The natural radiologcal background of these samples was determined using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector in conjunction with the Canberra In-Situ Object Counting System (ISOCS™) and Genie™ 2000 software packages. The composition of each sample was determined using thermal and fast neutron activation analysis (NAA) techniques. The results from these experiments were incorporated into a Monte Carlo N-Particle (MNCP) photon transport simulation to determine the expected gamma ray count rate in the RPM due to the concrete. The results indicate that a quantitative estimate may be possible if the experimental conditions are optimized to eliminate sources of uncertainty. Comparisons of actual and simulated count rate data for 137Cs check sources showed that the model was accurate to within 15%. A comparison of estimated and simulated count rates in one concrete slab showed that the model was accurate to within 4%. Subsequent sensitivity analysis showed that if the elemental concentrations are well known, the carbon and hydrogen content could be easily estimated. Another sensitivity analysis revealed that the small fluctuations in density have a minimal impact on the gamma count rate. The research described by this thesis provides a method by which RPM end users may quantitatively estimate the expected gamma background from concrete foundations beneath the systems. This allows customers to adjust alarm thresholds to compensate for the elevated background due to the concrete, thereby increasing the probability of intercepting illicit radiological and nuclear material.

Many contemporary states and historic political entities walled their borders stressing the idea that these barriers would protect their homelands from external threats and thus, achieve security. Although this security argument has prevailed, the political science literature fails to offer a systematic empirical examination of the relationship between barriers and cross-border threats. This research attempts to bridge this gap by answering the question: What are the actual security outcomes of physical barriers on borders? And thus, under what conditions do barriers succeed/fail to achieve security? This paper posits that, in some cases, building barriers on borders to stop non-state actors’ attacks escalate conflict. It demonstrates that when militants have supply institutions, they will manage to increase their attacks and shift to new tactics despite the barrier. It also studies the Israeli Gaza Strip Fence and offers an analysis based on patterns of the relationships between features of the barrier and the Gaza attacks. these patterns are derived from a quantitative dataset built by the researcher and are also supplemented by qualitative data about the case. / text

This thesis explores a border security system based on agent-based modeling and simulation (ABMS). The ABMS software platform, map aware non-uniform automata, is used to model various scenarios and evaluate the border security system given a set of infiltrators who have evolutionary behavior governed by a genetic algorithm (GA). The GA is used to represent adaptive behavior of the enemy when the friendly force has deployed our border security at a maximum level. By using a near optimal Latin hypercube design, our simulation runs are implemented efficiently and the border security system is analyzed using four different kinds of measures of effectiveness. / text

Classification problems arise in so many different parts of life – from sorting machine parts to diagnosing a disease. Humans make these classifications utilizing vast amounts of data, filtering observations for useful information, and then making a decision based on a subjective level of cost/risk of classifying objects incorrectly. This study investigates the translation of the human decision process into a mathematical problem in the context of a border security problem: How does one find special nuclear material being smuggled inside large cargo crates while balancing the cost of invasively searching suspect containers against the risk of al lowing radioactive material to escape detection? This may be phrased as a classification problem in which one classifies cargo containers into two categories – those containing a smuggled source and those containing only innocuous cargo. This task presents numerous challenges, e.g., the stochastic nature of radiation and the low signal-to-noise ratio caused by background radiation and cargo shielding. In the course of this work, we will break the analysis of this problem into three major sections – the development of an optimal decision rule, the choice of most useful measurements or features, and the sensitivity of developed algorithms to physical variations. This will include an examination of how accounting for the cost/risk of a decision affects the formulation of our classification problem. Ultimately, a support vector machine (SVM) framework with F -score feature selection will be developed to provide nearly optimal classification given a constraint on the reliability of detection provided by our algorithm. In particular, this can decrease the fraction of false positives by an order of magnitude over current methods. The proposed method also takes into account the relationship between measurements, whereas current methods deal with detectors independently of one another.

Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Horne, Gary E. "June 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on July 13, 2009. Author(s) subject terms: border security, border protection, border patrol, unmanned aerial system (UAS), UAV, MANA, Nearly-Orthogonal Latin Hypercube, regression tree, linear regression. Includes bibliographical references (p. 89-93). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio University, June, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

In response to the humanitarian crisis of 2015, Sweden introduced ‘temporary’ bordercontrols. The increasingly permanent controls warrant critical assessment and raise urgentquestions: How is border security exercised in practice? What is the relationship betweenintent and practices on the ground? Which logics drive the border control? This studyexplores these questions through in-depth interviews with border guards andethnographic field observations conducted at Hyllie station. Applying Foucault’s conceptof biopolitics and Walters’ image of the border-as-firewall, the study critically probes thepractices of border security and the logics that underpin it. The study argues that theSwedish border control acts as a (biopolitical) firewall. Yet, this conceptual frameworkalone cannot account for the multiple logics, rationalities, and objectives that intersectand drive the project of border control. The analysis suggests that biopolitics framessecurity as a rather monolithic, omnipotent performance of overarching state objectives.In reality, the exercise of border control is assembled ad hoc, constrained by the limits ofavailable resources of the Swedish police and mediated by the agency of individual borderguards. Finally, the study reflects on the exclusionary logic embedded in the practices ofborder control and stakes out paths for future research.

Canadian border security policies are largely shaped by the asymmetrical relationship that exists between Canada and the United States. American markets are the primary destination for over eighty percent of Canadian exports, creating an economic dependence highlighted in the days following 9/11. As wait times at the American border extended to sixteen hours the importance of the shared border came sharply into focus. To ensure Canada‟s economic security the Canadian government needed to develop policies that would satisfy the American need for physical security and the Canadian need for economic security. This thesis applies John Kingdon‟s policy streams model to demonstrate and explain the subsequent development of Canadian border security policies. It also examines the institutional context for border security policies and examines two case studies: the Container Security Initiative and NEXUS. / vii, 133 leaves ; 29 cm

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Corruption is a global cause for concern due to its negative impact on development. The complex issues surrounding corruption have motivated many researchers, strategists and planners to explore strategies to combat all activities relating to its causes and effects, both in the public and private sector. These efforts have produced a great deal of information, ideas and definitions related to this subject. However, there are still some gaps in understanding, and scope for further exploration. This thesis looks at the anti-corruption strategies of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Customs Division, at Beitbridge Border Post, with specific reference to the following issues: causes of corruption, consequences, and gaps in the ZIMRA’s anti-corruption initiatives. The thesis also makes some suggestions of remedies and recommendations for implementation. This study establishes that poor and skewed remuneration within the ZIMRA has contributed to the officers soliciting bribes from travellers and traders. Low salaries, not only in the ZIMRA Customs Department but the whole public sector, have forced revenue officers to seek rent from travellers and traders who are also keen to avoid paying onerous customs duties and long queues at border posts. These long queues at the Beitbridge Border Post coupled with poor sanitation facilities contribute to travellers and traders offering bribes to customs officers so as to get quick clearances. The study also observes that there are weak customs clearance systems and facilities within the Zimbabwe customs at Beitbridge Border. For instance, technology, which could play a fundamental role in combating corruption as it increases transparency and accountability, especially through e-governance facilities, is not fully utilised. Despite the introduction of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) software it was established that customs officers colluded with travellers and traders to manipulate the system, which is normally monitored from elsewhere. Although data is not readily accessible due to the sensitive nature of this research, and the politicisation and classification of such data, such cases of corruption led to high revenue leakages. The study also discovered that illegal and banned substances have been smuggled and found their way into the country due to the inefficiency of customs officials, which is mainly caused by corruption. Nevertheless, there are also indications that the ZIMRA considers corruption to be a problem that needs to be stopped. As the country has been experiencing serious internal economic problems, customs duties have proved to be a good source of revenue especially because of the huge Zimbabwean diaspora and the severe shortages of basic commodities within the country. However, this study observes that there is still a lack of synchronisation of anticorruption initiatives by the ZIMRA and other anti-corruption agencies such as the police. Anti-corruption strategies and remedies that may be implemented to curb increasing corruption cases at the border are also addressed in the study. Firstly, the existing ASYCUDA software, which is a significant goods clearance and corruption busting tool, should be properly leveraged to detect all the cases of false declaration of goods and the use of fake codes. This software should ideally be operated by highly motivated, correctly trained officials, who should also be monitored by other anti-corruption agencies. Additional monitoring could be done through surveillance cameras and increased lighting. In addition, these could be complemented by highway patrols of ZIMRA customs officials and police to detect and impound any smuggled or undeclared goods. Furthermore, more awareness campaigns should be conducted throughout the country to educate people about the evils of border-related corruption. The study also recommends that all these initiatives be accompanied by improved conditions of service and remuneration for customs officials. Anti-corruption agencies should be capacitated and optimally remunerated. Intermediate managers should be given performance frameworks based on best standards. However, having noted all these possible remedies, the study argues that, as long as the broader political environment remains weak, these initiatives will not generate their own internal logic and strength to work successfully, as is indeed the case currently. A key argument that this thesis makes is that the mere existence of institutions, mechanisms and instruments does not translate into an effective operation as long as the broader context is weak and not conducive. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Korrupsie is wêreldwyd ’n rede vir kommer vanweë die negatiewe impak wat dit op ontwikkeling het. Die komplekse kwessies daaromheen het vele navorsers, strategiste en beplanners gemotiveer om strategieë te ondersoek om alle aktiwiteite rakende die oorsake en gevolge daarvan in beide die openbare en die private sektor te beveg. Hierdie pogings het ’n groot hoeveelheid inligting, idees en definisies in verband met hierdie onderwerp na vore gebring. Daar bly egter gapings in die verstaan daarvan, dus is daar is ruimte vir verdere ondersoek. Hierdie tesis beskou die antikorrupsiestrategieë van die Zimbabwiese Inkomsteowerheid (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA)) se Doeane-afdeling by die Beitbruggrenspos, met spesifieke verwysing na die volgende: oorsake van korrupsie, nagevolge, en gapings in die antikorrupsie inisatiewe van die ZIMRA. Die tesis bied ook voorstelle met betrekkig tot regstelling en doen aanbevelings vir implementering. Hierdie studie het vasgestel dat swak en oneweredige vergoeding in die ZIMRA daartoe bydra dat beamptes omkoopgeld van reisigers en handelaars vra. Lae salarisse, nie net in die ZIMRA doeane-afdeling nie, maar dwarsdeur die openbare sektor, het beamptes daartoe gedryf om huur te vra van reisigers en handelaars wat ook gretig is om die betaling van gewigtige doeaneregte en lang toue by grensposte te ontduik. Hierdie lang toue by die Beitbrug-grenspos, tesame met swak sanitasiegeriewe, dra ook daartoe by dat reisigers en handelaars omkoopgeld aan doeanebeamptes bied om daardeur vinniger klaring te verkry. Die studie noem ook die swak uitklaringstelsels en fasiliteite by die Zimbabwe doeane by die Beitbrug-grenspos. Tegnologie wat ’n grondliggende rol in die bestryding van korrupsie kan speel omdat dit deursigtigheid en aanspreeklikheid bevorder, veral deur middel van estaatsbestuur fasiliteite, en word byvoorbeeld nie ten volle benut nie. Ten spyte van die aanskaf van sagteware wat doeanedata outomatiseer (Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA)) is vasgestel dat doeanebeamptes met reisigers en handelaars saamspan om die stelsel, wat normaalweg van elders gemoniteer word, te manipuleer. Alhoewel data vanweë die sensitiewe aard van hierdie navorsing en die politisering en klassifikasie van sodanige data nie geredelik toeganklik is nie, het sulke gevalle van korrupsie tot grootinkomstelekkasies gelei. Die studie het ook ontdek dat onwettige en verbode middels gesmokkel word en die land binnedring as gevolg van die ondoeltreffendheid/ onbekwaamheid vn die doeanebeamptes, grootliks vanweë korrupsie. Desnieteenstaande is daar ook tekens dat die ZIMRA korrupsie as ’n probleem ervaar wat tot ‘n einde moet kom. Aangesien die land ernstige binnelandse ekonomiese probleme ervaar, word doeaneregte as ‘n goeie bron van inkomste gesien, veral vanweë die grootskaalse Zimbabwiese diaspora en die ernstige tekort aan basiese koopware in die land. Die studie ervaar egter dat daar steeds ‘n gebrek is aan gesinkroniseerde antikorrupsie inisiatiewe deur die ZIMRA en ander antikorrupsie instansies soos die polisie. Antikorrupsie strategieë en regstellings wat geïmplementeer kan word om toenemende gevalle van korrupsie op die grens te bekamp, word ook in die studie aaangespreek. Eerstens behoort die bestaande ASYCUDA-sagteware, wat ‘n beduidende instrument vir goedereklaring en die ontbloting van korrupsie is, behoorlik aangewend word om alle gevalle van valse verklaring van goedere en die gebruik van vals kodes op te spoor. Die ideaal is dat hierdie sagteware deur hoogs gemotiveerde an behoorlik opgeleide beamptes hanteer word en dat hulle ook deur ander antikorrupsie agentskappe gemoniteer word. Bykomende monitering kan met behulp van waarnemingskameras en verbeterde beligting gedoen word. Hierbenewens kan hierdie pogings aangevul word deur snelwegpatrolering deur ZIMRA doeanebeamptes en die polisie om enige gesmokkelde of onverklaarde ware op te spoor en te skut. Verder behoort meer bewusmakingsveldtogte dwarsoor die land aangebied word om mense oor die euwel van grensverwante korrupsie in te lig. Die studie beveel aan dat al hierdie inisiatiewe met verbeterde diensomstandighede en vergoeding vir doeane-amptenare gepaard moet gaan. Antikorrupsie instansies behoort bemagtig en optimaal vergoed te word. Prestasie-raamwerke wat op beste standaarde gebaseer is, behoort aan intermediêre bestuurders voorsien te word. Tesame met al die moontlike oplossings wat genoem is , word daar egter geargumenteer dat hierdie inisiatiewe nie hul eie interne logika en die krag om suksesvol te werk, sal kan genereer nie so lank as wat die breër politieke omgewing swak bly, soos dit tans die geval is. ’n Sleutel-argument wat in die tesis aangevoer word is dat die blote bestaan van instellings, meganismes en instrumente nie in doeltreffende werking omgeskakel kan word nie so lank as die breër konteks swak is en nie daartoe bevorderlik is nie.