Border security is a national security issue. Without a secure border there is no way to know who is entering the United States. Border Patrol agents have noted that along with the 65,000 illegal immigrants who have crossed the border from Central American and Mexico this year, individuals from the Middle East, China, and Africa have also been encountered.
If thousands of women and children can endure “The Beast” Mexican train which has brought loads of illegal immigrants to the Texas border, or the rugged terrain and raft rides some coyotes use to ferry people to the U.S. – so can terrorists determined to end the American way of life with targeted attacks on the general populace and integral infrastructure.
Border patrol agents are facing mounting dangers and “brazen attacks” by Mexican gangs, drug cartels, and human traffickers along the Texas border and Governor Rick Perry is called for more boots on the ground to stop the massive influx of illegal immigrants into the United States.
A recently released Border Operations Sector Assessment report by the Texas Department of Public Safety paints a grim picture both for the agents themselves and on a national security front. A separate Texas Department of Public Safety study revealed that 203,000 illegal immigrants were arrested and charged with more than 640,000 crimes since 2008.
Texas police officers were wounded during a lengthy standoff with a gang member wanted for murder and a game warden was knocked in the head with a rock while attempting to seize a raft used by illegal immigrants just last week alone. Border Patrol agents and other law enforcement officers posted along the Texas border are reportedly subjected to death threats and other obscenities from criminals before they are given medical treatment and taken into custody.
The Texas Governor has been outspoken in his opposition to the way the Obama administration has border security. Rick Perry told the Tribune-Review that the 1,000 Texas National Guard members deployed to the Mexican border had nothing to do with “unaccompanied minors or children crossing the border.” According to both Perry and a new Pew report based upon government statistics, only about 20 percent of the illegal immigrants who stepped onto American soil this year are actually children.
The governor had this to say about the illegal immigrants’ crime report statistics:
“Of those crimes, 3,000 were homicides and nearly 8,000 were sexual assault. Thousands of lives have been shattered forever, that shouldn’t have been, if the federal government had done its job.”
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest does not appear phased by the illegal immigrants crime statistics as revealed by Perry.
Earnest had this to say about Governor Rick Perry’s comments on the number of murders, sexual assault, and other crimes committed by those who entered America illegally:
“Governor Perry will not just take these kinds of steps that are generating the kind of headlines I suspect he intended, but will actually take the kinds of steps that will be constructive to solving the problem over the long term.”
Perry further contends that President Obama took two years to react to the ongoing illegal immigration problem along the Texas border. The governor wrote a letter to the president in May 2012 asking for more help securing the border and stating that drug cartels and criminals were “infiltrating Texas.”
Excerpt from Governor Perry letter to President Obama:
“[There is] an emerging problem with a growing wave of unaccompanied minors crossing the border. Inaction encourages other minors to place themselves in extremely dangerous situations. Every day of delay risks more lives. Every child allowed to remain encourages hundreds more to attempt the journey.”
U.S. Border Patrol statistics show that the number of illegal immigrant children coming into Texas has increased from about 5,000 in 2012 to 50,000 this year. Border gangs readily known to Texas law enforcement and Border Patrol include: Barrio Azteca, South Side Watts, Surenos 13, Bloods, Varrio Northeast, Latin Kings, Wetside Locos, Supreme Crews, Mexican Mafia, Del Norte Kings, Folk Nation, Florecia 13, MS-13, 36 Mafia, Crips, South Side Brown Pride, and Lower Valley Hoodlums.
According to the Border Operations Sector Assessment report, Texas officers and Border Patrol agents are routinely the targets of automatic gunfire from illegal immigrant gang members and drug smugglers. A gang activity report for the period of July 16 to 23, states that 20 gang-related incident were reported. The incidents reportedly involved 19 Mexican gang members and result in 20 arrests. The border gang activity for the stated period included arrests on 15 criminal charges, four fugitive arrests, and one death. Marijuana and prescription pills were seized during the incidents.
The Border Operations Sector Assessment report also states that law enforcement officers have encountered drug smugglers carrying millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Some of the drugs were reportedly found nestled inside religious items. The report goes on to note that gang members are becoming extremely brazen and approaching ranch workers and American inside their homes. Texas border residents has also reported witnessing men crossing into the United States carrying long gun and automatic weapons and adorned in camouflage.
National Border Patrol Union Vice President Chris Cabrera had this to say about the border security report:
“In recent weeks the traffic appears to have slowed slightly, yet assaults on law enforcement have increased. This is a disturbing trend that needs to be addressed. It is paramount that we get this problem under control. It is evident that we need more agents in the field to address the various threats posed to law enforcement as well as to our nation.”
Armed militia groups are reportedly moving along the Texas border to stop illegal immigrants coming through Mexico. The militias have allegedly grown to more than 10 active teams stretching from El Paso to the Rio Grande Valley – a popular crossing point for illegal aliens.
A local Texas newspaper obtained more than 30 photos showing dozens of men who are allegedly part of armed militia groups. The photos depict the men posing at campsite adorned in tactical gear and carrying semi-automatic rifles. Some of the men shown among the alleged militia members are also wearing masks to reportedly thwart Mexican gangs, such as MS-13, and drug cartel members from detecting their identity.
Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte (Democratic-San Antonio) does not support the presence of armed militia groups along the Mexican border. Senator Van de Putte had this to say in a statement about the militia groups:
“Local law enforcement and federal Border Patrol agents have been clear. The presence of these outside independent militia groups does nothing to secure the border; it only creates an unsafe situation for law enforcement officials that are protecting our communities. Unfortunately, the vile rhetoric of my opponent inspires misguided efforts.”
The opponent the Democratic Texas State Senator referenced is Dan Patrick. The Republican state senator from Houston is running against Van de Putte for the lieutenant governor’s chair. Patriots Information Hotline founder Barbie Rogers confirmed that “10 operations on the ground along the Texas border” are currently underway. Many of the militia groups are reportedly stations on border ranches with the permission of the owners. According to Rogers, the Patriots Information Hotline is averaging 97 calls per hour with questions about the ongoing border security efforts.
The Texas militia groups attempting to help secure the border include: Bolinas Border Patrol, Central Valley Militia, Independent Citizens Militia, Alpha Team, Bravo Team, FOB Harmony, Operation Secure Our Border: Laredo Sector, O’Shanessy’s Team, the 77′s and Camp Geronimo, according to Barbie Rogers.
Operation Secure Our Border leader Chris Davis had this to say about the presence of armed militia groups in Texas:
“We have patriots all across this country who are willing to sacrifice their time, money even quit their jobs to come down and fight for freedom, liberty and national sovereignty.”
The former Army soldier also added that the militia groups will secure the border in a “legal and lawful manner.” The Operation Secure Our Border leader also added, “If we come across a family that may have made it across the border, we will give them water and food and make contact with ICE or Border Patrol and tell them we have these people here.”
A statement released by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency expressed concern about the militia groups along the border. “They could have disastrous personal and public safety consequences,” the release said.