Illegal immigration, fentanyl, and human trafficking continue to pose significant challenges to U.S. border security. With over 1,900 miles of shared border with Mexico, the United States remains vulnerable to cross-border criminal activity.
On Wednesday, U.S Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz was asked, “Does DHS have operational control of our entire border?”
Ortiz responded, “No, sir.”
The US-Mexico border is one of the most porous borders in the world, and this has led to a significant number of illegal immigrants entering the country. The US Border Patrol, which is responsible for securing the border, is often understaffed and underfunded, making it difficult to control the flow of illegal immigration.
Ortiz is the current Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, a position he has held since May 2020. As Chief, Ortiz is responsible for overseeing the activities of the agency, which has over 19,000 employees and operates in all 50 states. Prior to becoming Chief, Ortiz served as the Deputy Chief of the Border Patrol, and has been with the agency for over 30 years.
The US is a major market for illegal drugs, and drug smugglers often use the border to transport drugs into the country. This has led to an increase in drug-related crime and violence in many parts of the country. The border is also used by human traffickers to smuggle people into the country, often for forced labor or sexual exploitation. This is a major problem, and it is difficult to identify and prevent trafficking due to the secretive and clandestine nature of the crime.
There is also a risk of terrorists entering the country through the border, and this has become a major concern in recent years.
Under the current administration, things sadly continue to seem bleak.
WATCH:
"Does DHS have operational control of our entire border?"
U.S Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz: "No, sir." pic.twitter.com/8ssvTDrIRW
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 15, 2023