America's Southwest Border Is A 'Threat'

Congressman Michael T. McCaul of Texas

There is growing concern regarding the security of our US-Mexican border. In 2006 our Homeland Security Committee did a report on the issue. It is available on the web site of Congressman Michael T. McCaul of Texas, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Investigations. Go to his web site www.mcaul.house.gov; then click” Issues & Legislation”; and then go to “Border Security.” He has posted on his web site a 38 page “A Line in the Sand: Confronting the Threat at the Southwest Border.”

This report defines the 2,000 mile US Mexican border security issues very clearly, with details and statistics.

• Dangerous Criminal Enterprises Operating Along the Southwest Border

2. The Emerging Influence and Power of Mexican Drug Cartels
3. Smuggling Routes Along the Texas-Mexican Border
4. Cartels Waging Violent Turf Battle Over Control of Key Smuggling Corridor
5. Increasing Coordination Between Mexican Drug Cartels, Human Smuggling Networks, and US Based Gangs
6. Human Smugglers Disregard for Human Lives
7. Border Violence Against Law Enforcement and US Citizens
8. The Sophisticated Technology and Advanced Resources of the Drug cartels.
• Illegal Alien Crimes against US Citizens
• Vulnerability to Terrorist Infiltration
• Texas Border Security Initiatives
• Federal Border Security Efforts

This important report gives us an introduction to the US-Mexican Border issues, which are growing more critical daily.