Ethics & Laws in Homeland Security 

I’m not sure if I have already been that innocent citizen that has had their information surveillance if so, I don’t mind. The reason I’m careless about that topic is that I have nothing to hide. Nevertheless, some citizens do not have anything to hide like me but are opposed to these random searches which I could understand their view. Its something that is considered unethical by millions. Why have our privacy violated for the actions of some? I definitely get it.

These random surveillance searches do have their pros and cons for our safety. People that have been involved in misconduct can cause self-incrimination for example. Also, random searches can stop a terrorist attack or crime in general from occurring. There have been several circumstances of when we have and have not benefitted from domestic surveillance. It will forever be a highly controversial subject whether to stop or continue these quests.

Privacy today is facing threats from a growing surveillance apparatus that is often justified in the name of national security.

Multiple government agencies including the National Security Agency, The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, and state and local law enforcement agencies intrude upon the private communications of innocent citizens, amass vast databases of who we call and when, and catalog suspicious activities based on the vaguest standards (AHIMA. n.d.). This has been an ongoing and never-ending argument collecting of this information is being considered an invasion of privacy. In certain occasions, information is transferred to the watchlist causing innocent citizens to be denied entry of a plane, employed in certain jobs, denied access of their bank accounts, and are constantly questioned by authorities.

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By having innocent people on the watch list it’s like the government asking for a lawsuit.

During high scrutiny to prevent terrorist acts we’re being surveillance body language is everything. As much as we want to deny it, we’re being profiled whether it be by our ethnicity or behavior. I’ll admit it I’ve done it a couple times and I’m pretty sure you have too. An example of body language would be facial expressions that can cause a red flag for TSA. SPOT personnel have been trained to locate micro-expressions fleeting smiles, grimaces, or frowns that last milliseconds this supposedly reveals the true emotions of the feeling someone is trying to conceal (Bautista. 2014). Another method how people decide who to observe is ethnicity. Airports target Middle Easterners, Black and Hispanics. Sadly, its more racial profiling-based than behavior detection-based (Bautista. 2014). As you can believe this has caused high controversy worldwide it’s the true reality of the situation.

Our Homeland Security’s top priority is to prevent terrorist attacks especially preventing situations like 9/11 from reoccurring. We have all at one point or another either witnessed or have walked through a body scanner, this is highly to occur in the airport. The cons about this is that while traveling we give up our right to our 4th amendment and are more likely to be discriminated agents (Bautista. 2014). The 4th amendment is the right of the people to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures. It violates our 4th amendment because when under going the full body scanners we’re are practically 100% exposed in other words naked in front of the officers. No one should be subjected to the indignity of a strip search unless there are compelling reasons to do so (Bautista. 2014). In regards to discrimination, its practically right before our eyes but fail to acknowledge it. Depending on the cost of your flight you’re assigned and treated in a different manner. For example, when having a 1st class ticket you receive special treatment and are provided high quality food and drinks. As for the economy, guest are lucky to get some crackers and some water.