Al Qaeda is plotting to attack the U.S. again. More precisely, since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, al Qaeda has likely not taken one day off from planning to attack America with a strike even more lethal than the previous one. Recent reports indicate that the terror network has identified, and plans to exploit, the porous borders to America's North and South as entry points into the country. In particular, the border between the U.S. and Mexico stands ready as a huge "welcome mat" for terrorists, weapons, and equipment. It's time that someone puts two and two together and sees that a real war on terror includes stopping terrorists before they actually enter the country.
The Washington Times recently noted the testimony of a Homeland Security Department official who testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee regarding al Qaeda and America's southern border. The official told the committee, "Several al Qaeda leaders believe operatives can pay their way into the country through Mexico, and also believe illegal entry is more advantageous than legal entry for operational security reasons."
En route to Mexico last week, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said there's "no secret" that al Qaeda will try to get into America "by any means that they possibly can." Secretary Rice added, "That's how they managed to do it before and they will do everything that they can to cross borders." She noted that Americans should not be "alarmist" or "surprised" by this news, but should react to it. I agree, and the best way to react to this information is to get serious about border security and put politics aside.
On Saturday, a truck carrying twenty-one illegal aliens crashed in Colorado after having crossed the border between Mexico and Arizona. Five people were injured and one was killed. This type of activity occurs multiple times per day, every day of the year. In response to this particular incident, border security advocate Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) said that America refuses to secure the border in order to keep "the supply of cheap labor coming." Tancredo added, "We also cannot ignore the fact that when individuals undertake to come into this country illegally, they put themselves at risk. Remember that no one has ever been killed or injured by coming to America the right way -- through a Port of Entry."
If a truck filled with migrant workers can pass undetected across the border between Mexico, who's to say that al Qaeda can't easily sneak in terrorists and weapons. The fact is, they can, and to date, America has not been serious about stopping them. The intelligence reform bill passed late last year calls for the hiring of an additional 2,000 border patrol agents per year for the next five years, but Congress recently voiced bipartisan anger that the jobs are not being filled. In a recent Newsday article, Rep. John Hostettler (R-IN) was quoted as saying he was "deeply disappointed" that Bush's spending plan did not include enough funds for all the agents, leaving the borders vulnerable to the "unwavering will of terrorists." According to the Newsday story, rather that 2,000 new agents, next year's budget includes funds for only 210.
In an Agape News report, T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council, said in reaction to these numbers that there seems to be an inability to "connect the dots to see that there's a direct relationship between border security and homeland security." Bonner added that it can be "quite discouraging for those involved in protecting U.S. borders when government leaders and decision-makers fail to demonstrate commitment to resolving their issues."
It's past time for the federal government to get serious about border security -- waging a real war on terror depends on it. However, one of the primary problems in addressing border security is that it is immersed in the politically-charged, overall issue of illegal immigration. This predicament leads to many problems in dealing with border security because there are so many other questions involved: What does America do with the millions of illegal immigrants already in the country? What does America do to the employers who hire illegal workers? Why does America promote a "guest worker" program on one hand, while fighting a war on terror on the other? More roadblocks to a serious discussion about border security have been set up by traditional conservative publications like the Wall Street Journal and leaders such as Jack Kemp who have labeled those who support stricter controls on the border as "anti-immigrant" and racist.
The most productive solution is to separate the overall illegal immigration issue into two distinct discussions: one on what to do with the illegal workers currently in the United States, and the other on preventing more people, be they workers or terrorists, from coming into the country illegally. These are two different issues, and should be given due consideration. By separating the two, leaders of both political parties could address the real concerns of border security without getting embroiled in the sticky debate over illegal employment practices and the economic impact of addressing the millions of illegal workers inside the country.
Border security, as the name suggests, is a security issue, and it should be given serious attention. Al Qaeda is plotting and planning, and the only thing America can do about it is to provide the very best defense possible. So, the question to ask is simple: Is America providing that defense? If the answer is no, then all Americans should be outraged and be asking why not. If America is serious about fighting and winning a war on terror, then border security cannot be ignored due to political or economic concerns. There is too much at stake.
Bobby Eberle is President and CEO of GOPUSA (www.GOPUSA.com), a news, information, and commentary company based in Houston, TX. He holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Rice University.
