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Mexican Invasion Title: Obama must do more to secure southern border (GAO- 44% under "operational control") The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has declared that less than half of the U.S.-Mexico border is under "operational control." This is an astounding piece of disappointing news. The GAO study found that of the nearly 2,000 miles separating the U.S. and Mexico, only 44 percent are under the "operational control" of the Border Patrol and only 15 percent are under "full control." The GAO report contradicts recent remarks made by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano that the Obama administration's "border security approach is working." Administration officials are either unaware of the massive holes in security along the southern border or are misleading the American people. The administration has a duty to secure the border and protect the American people. Forty-four percent is a failing grade. Border security is critical to help curtail the drug-related violence along the Southwest border. The growing violence along the U.S.-Mexican border cost three Americans their lives in the last year. In 2010, there were also more than 1,000 incidents of violence against Border Patrol agents. Last December, Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was killed while doing his job of protecting the border. The violence in Mexico continues to escalate and threatens to spill over into the United States. In the last five years, more than 34,000 people have been killed in Mexico due to drug-related violence. And recently, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was killed and another injured when their vehicle was shot at by suspected drug gang members. Each year, millions of illegal immigrants also try to enter the United States. During Fiscal Year 2010, nearly half a million individuals were apprehended trying to enter the country illegally — and those are just the ones we caught. It is estimated that there are three successful illegal entries for every one illegal immigrant that is apprehended. That means more than 1 million illegal immigrants cross into the U.S. each year. This is not border security. Unfortunately, little is being done by the Obama Administration to secure the border and address the threat of spillover violence. In the past two years, the administration has neglected cost-effective means to reduce illegal immigration and secure the border. The fact also remains that seven million illegal immigrants currently work in the United States. Although increased interior enforcement would help open up jobs for millions of unemployed Americans, the administration has all but abandoned worksite enforcement activities. That means it is easier for illegal workers to get and keep jobs in the U.S. The border is never going to be secure until we turn off the jobs magnet. Americans and legal workers should not have to compete with illegal immigrants for scarce jobs. We should increase cost-effective and proven worksite enforcement activities and also expand E-Verify. This would turn off the jobs magnet and reduce the flow of illegal immigrants across the border. The administration also has not been serious about meaningful border security measures. Although the administration deployed 1,200 National Guard troops to the Southwest border, this is well below the amount requested by border states. And these troops will be removed this summer. The administration also has neglected its duty to complete the border fence. The administration has only completed construction of 650 miles of border fencing, instead of the 800 miles that Congress required in the "Secure Fence Act of 2006." Of those, only 344 are pedestrian fencing and the other 299 are vehicle barriers. Vehicle barriers can be easily passed and are not a significant deterrent. Completion of the border fence would strike a devastating blow to drug trafficking and illegal immigration. In San Diego, where there is a double layer fence, illegal crossings and apprehensions have declined by 95 percent. The administration must do more to secure the border. We need full control of the entire southern border if we want to stem the flow of illegal drugs and illegal immigrants. Improved border security coupled with increased interior enforcement of drug and immigration laws will make a difference. With less than half the border under operational control, it is past time for the administration to take the initiative to secure the border and protect American jobs and lives. Smith, a Republican from San Antonio, is the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
Poster Comment: 56% of the US/Mexico border is wide open according the the US government's GAO. hObama and DHS sec Nappylatino are shooting for 100%. Come one, come all, and bring your suitcase nukes, or what have you. No waiting in line for a TSA groping!
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