International Desk //

The Trump administration has ordered two US intelligence agencies to conduct satellite surveillance on the US-Mexico border to take strict measures against illegal immigration and drug cartels.

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) – these two agencies are under the US Department of Defense. They operate intelligence satellites and analyze satellite imagery to assist the Pentagon and other intelligence agencies.

The move, along with the deployment of troops, is increasing the trend of militarization of the southern border, where President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency. This will lead to tighter border security, which will allow for more effective measures against illegal immigration and drug cartels.

According to a report by the Washington Post, the Trump administration is looking to use satellite surveillance to detect unusual objects or suspicious activity across the border. The NGA said it has already created a task force that will “support U.S. border missions.” The NRO said it is working with the intelligence community and the Pentagon to “secure the U.S. border.”

With this move, the Trump administration wants to increase border surveillance through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and drone surveillance. Although drones have been used on the border for many years, this time it will be strengthened by the use of satellite and sensor technology.

Artificial intelligence will be used to analyze satellite images, which will help identify suspicious objects or people. This could be as effective as the technology used by the military in warfare, but experts are concerned about the scope of this surveillance and its consequences.

U.S. intelligence agencies are generally prohibited from surveillance of citizens, but there are questions about how effective that prohibition will be in such border surveillance activities. The law allows immigration authorities to search any suspicious object or person within 100 miles, which includes border cities such as San Diego and El Paso.

The initiative aims to build not just a physical border wall, but a “digital wall” that will reinforce the physical wall with technology. Technology companies such as Palantir will help monitor the border with sensor towers and drone technology.
In addition, a defense technology startup called Anduril is also designing sensor towers, which has already deployed 300 automated towers for US Customs and Border Protection.

This will likely strengthen border security, but there are many concerns about the impact on the privacy of American citizens.
Experts believe that the use of such technology will help increase border security, but caution is needed in monitoring systems to protect the security and privacy of citizens’ personal information.
Source-Reuters.

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