(Analyst's note: Troubling.)
Once again the White House is two steps behind the most imminent foreign policy and national security challenge. It is the one on the nation’s own doorstep – the criminal cartels operating in Mexico are a constant threat to the security, sovereignty, and prosperity of the United States. Between 5,000 and 6,000 died from the criminal violence in Mexico in 2008. Last year, it was even worse, upwards of 8,000. This year violence is even higher. Earlier this month, the Texas Department of Public Safety urged “spring breakers” to avoid Mexican border towns. Why? Too dangerous. When two American citizens and an employee of a U.S. consulate in Mexico were murdered, the president expressed “outrage.” Unfortunately, that outrage has not been matched by effort.
Just last week the president signaled his support for an amnesty bill, allowing those who have illegally entered into the United States to legally stay. The White House plans to reintroduce an amnesty bill to grant permanent status to the millions living in the United States unlawfully is completely wrongheaded. What could he be thinking? Immigration policy has major consequences, not just on national sovereignty issues, but on public safety and border security as well. When Congress granted amnesty in the 1986 immigration reform act, the border immediately got more, not less, porous. Amnesties just encourage more illegal border crossing.
Instead, the president should be putting a lot more emphasis on border security. The debate should move to new approaches that can keep up with the threat. Topping the “to do” list should be getting more of the right technologies: the kinds that can find tunnels, track smugglers and spot small groups crossing rough terrain at night far across the border. Don't think of it as a “virtual fence.” That term has been much maligned, mostly because the idea was poorly understood and poorly implemented. But the Homeland Security Department really does need technologies that can guide border agents to the right place at the right time to thwart creative, innovative and adaptive criminals. Specifically, security demands: fixed towers with sensors on established smuggling routes, mobile sensors that can be shifted around rough terrain, and unmanned aerial vehicles both short and long range. These systems must be able to share information with each other in real time.
We also need the right kind of boots on the ground. State and local police are vital to combating illegal border activity. Federal, state and local officers should work cooperatively in Border Enforcement Security task forces.
Finally, we need to help Mexico. The Bush administration started an aid program called the Merida Initiative. The Obama White House should follow up with a full-blown plan of strategic cooperation to help the Mexican government fight back. (Read more at the Washington Examiner.)
Grade for the week “D” for just plain dumb.
