From Smart Borders to Perimeter Security

The Expansion of Digital Surveillance at the Canadian Borders

Datos Bibliográficos

ID3948619
AutoresÖzgün E Topak (0000-0002-1571-0940, York University, autor de correspondencia), Ciara Bracken-Roche (Queen's University), Alana Saulnier (0000-0002-8545-1809, Queen's University), David Lyons (0000-0002-1927-3565), David Lyon (0000-0001-5794-0456, Queen's University)
Año2015
Volumen20
Número4
Páginas880-899
Fecha de publicación2015-10-02
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaGeopolitics (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1465-0045 • E-ISSN: 1557-3028
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14650045.2015.1085024
OpenAlexW1915490360
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas13

Since 2001, border security policy between Canada and the US has morphed from “smart borders” to the present “beyond the border” (perimeter security) agreement resulting in the expansion of new techniques of border surveillance including pre-emptive profiling of travellers and biometric data sharing. In this paper, we argue that these border agreements have increasingly resulted in a changing experience of sovereign power for those crossing the border. This is demonstrated through a discussion of: the major border policies between Canada and the US since 11 September 2001, developed under the influence of US hegemony; how these policies perpetrate a generalised state of exception; and how these policies affect refugees, migrants, and citizens. Reading Agamben’s insights from a sociological perspective, we argue that the presumption of security-through-surveillance erodes border crossers’ human rights, and that some people – those from disadvantaged race/class backgrounds – are more affected than others by the implementation of the evolving border regime. We also emphasise the contingencies and unintended consequences of the ongoing projects. The conclusion offers brief comments on the consequences of these developments on Canadian identity and points out the directions for future research in this domain

Border Security · Disadvantaged · Hegemony · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Refugee · Sociology · Sovereignty · State of exception · Unintended consequences · Canadian Identity and History · Canadian Policy and Governance · Law · Migration, Refugees, and Integration