National Security and Border Management

Could California secure its borders, manage public safety, and maintain a credible national defense?
Yes — California already hosts critical military infrastructure, manages major ports of entry, and operates extensive public safety systems. With a phased transition and strategic investment, California can build a stable and independent security framework.

National Defense: Principles and Scale

As a sovereign nation, California would take responsibility for:

  • Territorial protection (land, air, sea)
  • Strategic deterrence
  • Multilateral peacekeeping and disaster readiness

California already hosts numerous U.S. military facilities:

  • Naval bases (San Diego, Port Hueneme)
  • Air and Space Force bases (Vandenberg, Edwards, Travis)
  • Army, Marine, and National Guard training centers
  • Aerospace and defense manufacturing hubs

These assets provide a powerful starting point for national defense infrastructure, especially under a negotiated transition with the U.S.

Transitioning Military Responsibility

Defense readiness would develop in three cooperative phases:

Phase 1: Legal and Strategic Framework

  • Create a national Department or Ministry of Defense
  • Draft a defense strategy focused on non-aggression, maritime security, cyber defense, and emergency response
  • Define civilian oversight, rules of engagement, and force scope

Phase 2: Facilities & Asset Transfer

  • Negotiate with the U.S. for:
    • Transfer of select bases
    • Joint-use or lease agreements
  • Inventory and redeploy military infrastructure and equipment

Phase 3: Staffing and Force Development

  • Voluntary transfer of Californians serving in the U.S. Armed Forces
  • Transition National Guard units to permanent national service
  • Recruit and train new personnel, especially in:
    • Cybersecurity
    • Maritime and aerial defense
    • Unmanned systems and strategic logistics
  • Establish military academies, reserve forces, and training programs

This phased model ensures continuity and expertise from day one.

Defense Budget and Strategic Focus

A defense budget of 2.0–2.5% of GDP (comparable to the UK, Australia, or South Korea) would fund:

  • Coastal and maritime defense fleet
  • Aerial surveillance and early-warning systems
  • Territorial ground forces and humanitarian response teams
  • Cybersecurity, satellite monitoring, and electronic intelligence

California’s military strategy would emphasize non-aggression, resilience, and multilateral coordination, not global power projection.

Border Management and Immigration Control

California would assume national control of:

  • 6 land border crossings with Mexico
  • 13 international airports
  • 11 major seaports and hundreds of private ports of entry

National border responsibilities would include:

  • Immigration and visa processing
  • Customs enforcement
  • Health and agricultural inspections
  • International rail and trade route management

Land border crossings with the U.S. (Arizona, Nevada, Oregon) would become international checkpoints, requiring coordinated systems with the U.S. government.

Border Infrastructure and Technology

A modern, secure border system would integrate:

  • Automated cargo scanning
  • AI-assisted customs screening
  • Biometric entry systems
  • Smart surveillance in remote areas

Design priorities include efficiency, human rights compliance, and international legal standards.

Immigration Policy and Labor Mobility

As an independent nation, California could develop a humane, efficient immigration system, with:

  • Visas for family, skilled workers, and students
  • Seasonal labor permits for agriculture and construction
  • Pathways to legal residency and citizenship for long-term undocumented residents
  • Labor mobility agreements with the U.S., Mexico, and Pacific partners
  • Legal protections for asylum seekers, consistent with human rights law

Internal Security and Public Safety

California already manages:

  • 500+ local police and sheriff departments
  • Statewide highway patrol and 911 emergency networks
  • Integrated wildfire and disaster response agencies

Independence would add:

  • A central public safety agency for national coordination
  • A national intelligence and cybersecurity unit
  • Enhanced forensics and digital investigation labs
  • Cross-border task forces for cybercrime, trafficking, and fraud
  • Civil liberties protections and democratic oversight

Cybersecurity and Digital Sovereignty

As a global tech hub, California would create:

  • A national cybersecurity agency
  • Strong data privacy and encryption laws
  • Regulation of AI and emerging digital threats
  • Public infrastructure protections for finance, healthcare, utilities, and elections

California could also collaborate in international cyber defense frameworks, bringing democratic values to global tech governance.

Summary of Security Findings

  • California has the infrastructure, personnel, and budget to establish a credible national defense
  • A peaceful, phased military transition with the U.S. is feasible and cooperative
  • Border systems can be modernized for security and trade efficiency
  • Public safety is already managed by the state and can be scaled nationally
  • Cybersecurity and intelligence services can be developed on a strong digital foundation

California’s national security framework is viable — rooted in planning, cooperation, and a commitment to democratic values.

This section is part of the California National Viability Brief.

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