White House needs border security plan, says Homeland Security chairman

By Jim Kouri —— Bio and Archives January 17, 2011

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New York's Congressman Peter King, the new chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee demanded that Obama White House present Congress with a detailed plan to properly secure the U.S.-Mexico border after Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the scrapping border fence project.

Following the Obama administration's announcement to discontinue work on a "virtual border," Rep. King said in a press statement that the Department of Homeland Security should "speed up its plan to establish a protected border." The original Southwest Border Initiative program, started during President George W. Bush's administration, has only established 53 miles worth of fencing along the border, and has been plagued by construction delays and equipment failure. Earlier last year, Secretary Napolitano ordered a complete assessment of the project. As reported in the past by NewswithViews.com, the original border security plan called for a fence and barriers to be used on parts of the U.S.'s southern border, but with the Democrats controlling both houses of Congress and the Bush Administration being weak on border security, the plan switched from a real fence or wall to a virtual fence using high-tech equipment. “The Obama Administration must promptly present the people of this country with a comprehensive plan to secure our borders, incorporating the necessary staffing, fencing, and technology,” said King in a statement. “I expect the Administration, in its upcoming 2012 budget proposal, to put forward such a plan, including timelines and metrics.” However, the ranking Democrat on the committee, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MO), applauded the program’s ending, saying that it has been “a grave and expensive disappointment since its inception.” “[The Homeland Security Committee has held 11 hearings on the project, commissioned five critical GAO reports, all while the program cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion for only 53 miles of coverage,” said Thompson. “The sheer size and variations of our borders show us a one-stop solution has never been best. I applaud them for taking this critical step toward using a more tailored technologically-based approach to securing our Nation’s borders.” "Thompson and many other Democrats while attempting to sound hawkish of homeland security and border protection have regularly blocked any meaningful progress in securing the US-Mexico border and rampant illegal immigration," said former police lieutenant Stephen Rodsers. A former intelligence officer and police detective agrees. "The Democrats never intended to strengthen border security. In fact, they have vilified anyone or any group who complains about illegal aliens," said Sid Franes. Fran Townsend, who was a homeland security adviser under President George W. Bush, said Friday that she hoped some of the security measures initiated by the US-led military in Afghanistan and Iraq would be employed by DHS to “supplement and to support the people on the ground.” Unfortunately, the Department of Homeland Security’s latest failure to protect the United State, was a costly program to place crucial electronic surveillance systems along the U.S.-Mexico border that is years behind schedule. The security project is grossly over budget because Secretary Janet Napolitano's agency hasn’t adequately managed the contractor doing the work, according to Judicial Watch. As a result, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars were wasted and the porous southern border will continue to be vulnerable despite the Obama Administration’s assurances that it’s as secure as it’s ever been. So far the troubled project, known as Secure Border Initiative Network, has cost the government $672 million although it’s nowhere near completion, according to Judicial Watch, a public-interest group that investigates political corruption.