Listen to Edward Alden, the Bernard L. Schwartz senior fellow at CFR, discuss his book, The Closing of the American Border: Terrorism, Immigration, and Security Since 9/11, with students as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call Series.

Since 9/11 and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. immigration policy has been focused mostly on keeping out those we don't want. In this San Francisco Chronicle op-ed, Edward Alden argues that this single-mindedness has come with a high cost to our economy and reputation in the world.

This RAND Corporation report provides guidelines for state and local officials to improve their emergency responses to public health threats.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama gave this speech on national security in Richmond, Virginia on October 22, 2008.

Everett Ehrlich, former Undersecretary of Commerce, and investment banker Felix Rohatyn discuss the need for a National Infrastructure Bank to fund the revitalization of U.S. infrastructure.

Homeland security is likely to generate considerable discussion in the 2008 presidential race on topics such as the USA Patriot Act, border fences, and FEMA reforms after Hurricane Katrina.

CFR's Edward Alden says a flawed U.S. approach to tightening its borders after the 9/11 terrorist attacks has harmed the country's once-admired immigration image.

Listen to experts discuss U.S. immigration policies, their effects on Latin America and national security concerns, and how immigration reform might occur in the next administration.

This symposium was made possible by the generous support of the Ford Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Clark Kent Ervin, inspector general of the Homeland Security Department from 2003 to 2004, says the presidential candidates must explain "exactly what they think the federal government has done right and done wrong in the seven years since 9/11 in securing this country against another terrorist attack." Ervin provides a list of questions related to homeland security policy for the candidates to answer.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain gave this speech at Fresno State College in Fresno, California on June 23, 2008.

With the help of U.S. defense contractors, China is building the prototype for a high-tech police state. It is ready for export.

Terrorism and other disasters demand calmness and preparation, not panic and demagoguery.

Benazir Bhutto’s assassination highlights the difficulties of campaign security as U.S. candidates attempt to secure themselves without sacrificing interaction with local communities.

Michael Levi writes that “the revelation last week that Slovak and Hungarian police arrested three men suspected of selling uranium powder is sure to spark an investigation into how security at the source of those materials failed. It would be wise, though, to study not only how defenses failed but also how authorities succeeded in breaking up the plot.”

CFR security expert Stephen Flynn outlines the principles he thinks the next president should follow in order to effectively safeguard the homeland.

Two experts debate the extent to which U.S. security is affected by immigration.