Yoku Shaw-Taylor serves as the lead author of this book. He is an Applied Sociologist with a PhD from George Washington University. He was Research Scientist at NORC, University of Chicago, and an Operations Research Analyst (Contractor) at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He is the author of Immigration, Assimilation, and Border Security.

The other contributors to this volume are all experts in their field. They are affiliated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence: Borders, Trade, and Immigration Institute, a consortium led by the University of Houston and, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence: Coastal Resilience Center, a consortium led by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There are new findings from researchers who previously worked or currently work at the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or the New York City Health Department. There is also analysis from a consultant previously affiliated the World Customs Organization, and new information from professors or instructors with ties to University of Massachusetts, Tulane University, and Louisiana State University.