Necropolitics and technology: The rhetorical evolution of U.S. border strategy from 1994-2022

Abstract

In recent years, following President Donald Trump's vocal anti-immigrant declaration, turmoil has continued to intensify at the US-Mexico border. With an increased drive to securitize the border, there has been an increase in migrant deaths, bringing into question whose being prioritised when it comes to border security. The politics pertaining to border security hold various levels of key stakeholders. The private sector holds influential power over critical decision-making and operations established for protecting US citizens. With an expanding digital world, the private sector funds and influences research and development in technologies related to borders. However, with so many moving parts there is a lack of understanding of the different perspectives and frames that are considered when securitizing borders. While the US has created strategies to confront the critical challenges posed by borders, there is still a continuous lack of safety for migrants. Over the years, the language that has been used in these documents has evolved to become more positive, however, the results are not changing; some might even argue that they are at their worst. This investigation shall analyse border policies from a number of different viewpoints, analysis shall begin with a close breakdown of key speeches made...