Southwest Hispanic community - the absence of homeland security threats

Abstract

Threats of terrorism and insurgency along the Southwest border are typically supported by anecdotal evidence rather than objective assessments of such threats, which limit the ability to appropriately address issues related to homeland security, such as immigration enforcement and border security. This thesis provides an objective assessment of the potential for terrorist and insurgent threats to emanate from within the Southwest Hispanic Community by reviewing the status of and pressures upon the community using Social Identity Theory and Resource Mobilization Theory. Data indicates that Hispanics in the Southwest typically experience greater disparities in sociocultural, economic, and political conditions due to regional ethnic concentration. External and internal pressures, represented by immigration policy and mandates for language usage, also have greater impact upon the community. Social Identity Theory provides a means for understanding why social movement form, while Resource Mobilization Theory provides insight into how movements are created. The potential for radicalization is also examined to determine if violent movements can develop from otherwise nonviolent movements or communities. Despite disparities and significant pressure, the conclusion is that there are no current homeland security threats of terrorism or insurgency and the adoption of omnicultural policies can further reduce what limited potential may exist.