US Immigration Services Effort to Identify Terrorism Threats - Is Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT) The Next Tool

Description

Terrorists use the internet to facilitate every aspect of their nefarious activity. This use creates a novel research question: To what degree can an open-source social media intelligence (SOCMINT) gathering and analysis capability assist U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in accomplishing its homeland security mission? The critics of SOCMINT argue it is an unnecessary, problematic, and ill-advised effort based on efficacy, data management, and constitutional grounds. Therefore, the thesis explores the past efforts, necessity, and efficacy of open-source SOCMINT in identifying potential fraud, public safety, and/or national security concerns (threats) from immigrants seeking immigration benefits. The research consists of qualitatively examining issue rhetoric—the debate and discussion—between the critics and supporters of SOCMINT. The Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the U.S. dataset provides a quantitative, evidence-grounded means to gain insight on radicalized immigrants’ use of the internet and social media in plotting attacks and the potential for threat detection. The research demonstrates threats among immigration benefit seekers exist, and that SOCMINT is a viable means to identify and mitigate the threats. The thesis concludes the propositions for SOCMINT are valid and the critics’ objections should not impede the effort. The thesis recommends USCIS continue SOCMINT, ensuring the endeavor observes a balance between security and liberty. 19Dec_Thompson_Erik_First8 19Dec_Thompson_Erik I. INTRODUCTION A. RESEARCH QUESTION B. PROBLEM STATEMENT C. BACKGROUND D. LITERATURE REVIEW 1. Technology Experts 2. Security Experts 3. Critics E. RESEARCH DESIGN F. CHAPTER OVERVIEW II. PROPOSITIONS FOR SOCMINT A. MISSION B. LEGAL AUTHORITIES C. TERRORISM ON SOCIAL MEDIA 1. Propaganda 2. Communication 3. Recruiting 4. Radicalization 5. Plotting 6. Experts 7. Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States a. Radicalized Immigrants b. Internet Radicalization c. Social Media Radicalization d. Internet Plotting by Social Media Users e. Gravity of Threat from Social Media Users f. Operational Security g. Social Media Frequency h. Social Media Activities i. Previous Criminal Activity D. OPEN-SOURCE NECESSITY E. LAW ENFORCEMENT SOCMINT USE F. SOCMINT SUCCESSES G. CONCLUSION III. SOCMINT PROBLEMATIC EFFORT AND NECESSITY CONCERNS A. A PROBLEMATIC EFFORT 1. Office of the Inspector General Report 2. USCIS FOIA Documents B. WE ARE SAFE ENOUGH C. CONCLUSION IV. SOCMINT EFFICACY CONCERNS A. YIELD B. SCOPE AND SCALE C. LANGUAGE D. CONTEXT E. ENCRYPTION F. IDENTITY RESOLUTION G. CONCLUSION V. SOCMINT DATA AND CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS A. DATA CONCERNS 1. Data Retention 2. Data Sharing 3. Data Hacking Risk B. CONSTITUTIONAL CONCERNS 1. Privacy 2. Free Speech 3. Discrimination C. CONCLUSION VI. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS A. SUMMARY 1. Propositions for SOCMINT 2. SOCMINT Problematic Effort and Necessity Concerns 3. SOCMINT Efficacy Concerns 4. SOCMINT Data and Constitutional Concerns B. LIMITATIONS C. RECOMMENDATIONS D. FUTURE RESEARCH E. CONCLUSION Appendix. Profiles of individual radicalization in the United States List of References Initial distribution list