The Northern
Border Security Review Act was introduced in January 21, 2015 by John Katko (a
Republican from New York’s 24th congressional district). This bill
is intended to have the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a northern
border threat analysis. This analysis, “ at minimum, shall include the
following, 1. An
analysis of current and potential terrorism threats posed by individuals
seeking to enter the United States through the northern border.
2. An analysis of
improvements needed at ports of entry along the northern border to prevent
terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the United States.
3. An analysis of gaps in
law, policy, international agreements, or tribal agreements that hinder the
border security and counterterrorism efforts along the northern border.
4. An analysis of illegal
cross border activity between ports of entry, including the maritime borders of
the Great Lakes” (H.R. 455: Northern Border Security Review Act).
Picture received
from http://www.thetbwg.org/map-newyork_e.htm
All of these
sounds like a good idea and something that should be looked into regardless. But
the bill has upset the people of Akwesasne because they feel that this bill is
targeted at the reservation. It doesn’t help that Katko has referred to “the
Akwesasne territory as a “prime smuggling route”” (Flatley). Also, the pass accusation that the 9/11 terrorists entered the county through Akwesasne, which
was later proved to be false.
“In fiscal 2014, there were 617 pounds of
marijuana seized in the Swanton sector, and 506 individuals were apprehended.
Along the northern border, the Swanton sector came in behind Grand Forks,
Buffalo and Detroit in apprehensions of individuals, but first in marijuana
seizures” (Flatley). The Akwesasne territory is located in the Swanton Sector, and
the way the facts are presented leads the reader to believe that the majority
of this activities stem from Akwesasne.
In
fact, the Swanton sector covers a few states. “This
office provides law enforcement support for the State of Vermont; Clinton,
Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence and Herkimer counties of New York; and Coos,
Grafton and Carroll counties of New Hampshire”. Therefore, it is hard to
compare the Swanton sector to a particular city.
“”Like many other crimes, smuggling grows at the
intersection of need and opportunity”” (Flatley). and a border provide that
opportunity, that is why in the bill it doesn’t make reference to any one port
in particular.
The only reference to the reservation is that of
“tribal agreements”. When dealing with Akwesasne, many other issues become
involved because the reservation is trying to establish their sovereignty and
even the identity of the people come into question. It doesn’t help that many
the people of Akwesasne don’t trust the government to begin with many might see
it as another law to indirectly control Akwesasne.
You can track the process of
the bill at https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr455
Sources:
Flatley, Daniel.
Watertown Daily Times. At Akwesasne, Mohawks are caught in the middle of
U.S., Canadian border procedures.
H.R. 455:
Northern Border Security Review Act. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr455
Swanton Sector
Vermont. U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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