Every once in a while, hardcore Progressive #Resist sites like the NY Times will commit random acts of journalism. Even if the main point is about attempting to slam President Trump, because that is first and foremost in every article, it seems, and really belongs in the opinion section. In this case, though, they’re actually saying things about border and interior security that I and many others, including Ann Coulter before she went gaga for Trump and the wall, have been saying for a long time
To Pay for Wall, Trump Would Cut Proven Border Security Measures
The Trump administration would cut or delay funding for border surveillance, radar technology, patrol boats and customs agents in its upcoming spending plan to curb illegal immigration — all proven security measures that officials and experts have said are more effective than building a wall along the Mexican border. (snip)
But security experts said the president’s focus on a border wall ignores the constantly evolving nature of terrorism, immigration and drug trafficking. (snip)
Homeland Security officials have long and frequently described border security as a holistic system, made up not just of walls and fencing but also patrol routes, lighting, cameras, sensors and personnel.
David Bier, a policy analyst with the Cato Institute, said a border wall would do little to stop the drug trade. Most of the cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines smuggled into the United States come through legal ports of entry rather than areas that would be stopped by a wall, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Nor would a wall stop illegal immigration, other experts said. Data from the Department of Homeland Security and research groups like the New York-based Center for Migration Studies show that most undocumented immigrants now simply overstay legally obtained short-term visas — and did not sneak across the border.
A border wall certainly can’t hurt, and many have recommended putting long stretches in the middle of nowhere places, along with sensors and such, rather than along the entire border. What can’t be diminished, and needs to be expanded, is interior security, because the Times is correct on visa over-stays. The latest measure is that 45%+ of the illegals present in the U.S. are visa-overstays. We need more officers to deal with this, along with judges to quickly deport them. We need more personnel to inspect the shipments coming into the nation, something recommended by the 9/11 Commission. Nothing will deter people coming illegally/overstaying visas like quickly deporting them, as we’ve seen this past year where mostly words on cracking down, along with a more visible ICE presence, has drastically decreased those coming illegally.
There are many other things that can be done in conjunction, such as making businesses and colleges who host those on visas responsible for their upkeep, and requiring them to inform ICE when those visas are about to expire. Full implementation of E-Verify. Cracking down on those who shelter illegal aliens. And much more. Such as cracking down hard on companies that hire illegals, and hitting them with hard criminal penalties, not just civil ones.
An internal budget guidance document for the 2019 fiscal year shows that the White House Office of Management and Budget asked officials at the Homeland Security Department to reduce or delay funding requests for additional border security technology and equipment. Instead, the document instructed, Homeland Security should dramatically increase funding for a wall on the Mexico border.
So, the Times wasn’t quite kidding in the first paragraph of the article, but
Parts of the document were viewed by The New York Times; the rest of it was based on reports by the Democratic staff of the Senate Homeland Security Committee
So, take it all with a grain of salt, but yes, there does seem to be a reduction in expenditures in the White House recommendation to help fund the wall (which is already supposed to be built per previous law).
The internal document also suggested delaying a request to buy 15 new Coastal Interceptor boats to catch drug smugglers. The agency had sought nearly $15 million to replace its aging fleet to keep up with drug smugglers’ smaller, faster boats.
It also would cut nearly 200 of the 500 canine units that customs officials say play a key role in programs to prevent terrorism and drug smuggling. The dogs’ handlers would then be reassigned to ports on the southwest border to help with staffing shortages.
It would also drastically cut funding for hiring officers for new customs positions, which are key in stopping people from coming illegally as well as drugs, illegal weapons, and other banned things. But, it does call for 5,000 more Border Patrol agents and 10,000 ICE agents.
The wall is OK, but, there needs to be a focus on many other things.
Crossed at Right Wing News.
