America as a whole had a major shift after the attacks on September 11, 2001. There were plenty of positive and negative changes associated with the horrific event. I will specifically be explaining and detailing the increased security and “new normal” that was presented after. These attacks are still thought about today and will for forever, and it has forced the government to step up in many ways. The Department of Homeland Security was created and other restrictions were made to make air travel safer.
Security in airports was heavily increased, baggage was scanned, and boarding passes were made mandatory to be in a terminal. Congress also created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the organization that secures the airports and regulates baggage. Airports used to be secured by private companies which lead to unorganized and inconsistent airports. Congress took this control back and regulated security. There are now officers that watch for specific actions and behaviors to catch anything missed in the security checkpoint. Full body screening machines were added to check for any weapons or illegal objects. However, with this added security, racial profiling has become more prevalent after these attacks as specific groups are targeted.
Another important addition to the security department was the creation of The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This organization was formed by criminal and civil authorities brought together to strengthen national security that was broken after 9/11. This organization dealt with oversees agencies relating to immigration, removed criminals, and added new immigration officers. ICE was formed strengthen and make immigration safer for immigrants and the United States.
All of these changes created a “new normal” in the United States, and it was forever changed after 9/11. Travel changed as more time was necessary to pass through security, restrictions were placed on baggage, and items brought were limited.
Another change were the increased wars in Afghanistan and fights against terrorism being fought daily. The world is now so hyperaware of security threats and terrorist attacks, and staying on top of this is key. The policies and changes implemented were necessary to improve the state of America.
Increased spending was also needed to secure the United States to the level that was now necessary. These increased budgets pushed more policies and movements to strengthen homeland security and research terrorist groups. Overall, the attacks on September 11 forced increased security, created a new normal, and changed America forever.
Works Cited:
https://www.history.com/news/september-11-changes-america
In the aftermath of 9/11, different versions of the “new normal”
https://www.ice.gov/features/history\
https://www.cheatsheet.com/culture/how-9-11-changed-airport-security.html/
https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/News/ways-immigration-system-changed-911/story?id=17231590
https://www.cheatsheet.com/culture/how-9-11-changed-airport-security.html/