The Homeland Security Operational Impact of Layered Defense Tactics on Border Security Outcomes: A Transcendental Phenomenology Study of Illegal Entry and Contraband Interception Rates

This study aimed to investigate how border security professionals experience and operationalize layered defense tactics, and to measure the empirical impact on security outcomes. This entails illegal entry and the illegal entry of contraband being intercepted. In the case of this research, a transcendental phenomenological approach examines the multi-layered security systems grounded in the experiences of border-security professionals, and the systems efficacy in border control enhancement. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 border security personnel, participant observations at four U.S.-Canadian border checkpoints, and analysis of operational documents spanning 2022-2024. Understanding systems incorporating advanced control methodologies, to include control drones, sensors, and scans, is the reason systems have an increased ability to detect contraband with a systemically concurrent decline in illegal entries. The research further elucidates the instrumental layered defense intelligence, training of personnel, and inter-agency collaborative control techniques. Regression analysis revealed statistically significant relationships between layered defense implementation and both reduced illegal entry rates (β = -0.45, p = 0.003) and increased contraband interception (β = 0.38, p = 0.001). This research empowers the operationalization of layered defense techniques while being suggestive of the need for research focused on the potential of emerging border control technologies, and long-term research in estimative- cost benefit analyses. Findings support the continued investment in layered defense systems while highlighting the need for ongoing personnel training, inter-agency coordination, and adaptive tactical responses to evolving threats.