Staff Reports
In recent days, the situation at the southern border has escalated into chaos, drawing attention and concern from various quarters. Three migrants have been arrested for the shocking allegation of killing a Mexican immigration agent after he requested to see their identification. This event unfolded about 30 miles south of Juarez, highlighting the dangerous realities that border agents face in this volatile area. Meanwhile, the Texas Department of Public Safety has apprehended eleven illegal migrants from countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico. This uptick in activity is believed to be a last-minute rush from migrants attempting to cross before the upcoming changes in administration policies.
As the nation gears up for a new administration, Tom Homan, the incoming border czar, is stepping into a role that many regard as both challenging and crucial. Homan has been vocal about the need for decisive action against the criminal cartels that operate with alarming impunity in Mexico. He made it abundantly clear that these cartels pose a significant danger, responsible for more American deaths than all terrorist organizations combined. With plans to shut down the border and disrupt cartel operations, Homan expects to see a spike in cross-border crime, at least in the short term. He emphasizes that securing the border is a national security priority that cannot be overlooked.
The current statistics paint a grim picture of the situation under the Biden administration, with nearly 11 million migrant encounters reported. Adding to this are the estimated 2 million known “got-aways,” individuals who have successfully crossed into the U.S. without detection. Mayor Eric Adams of New York City has engaged in discussions with Homan and has voiced his commitment to addressing public safety threats posed by certain individuals in the city. He lays it out simply: those who violate the law should not have a place in the country, especially if they pose a risk to the safety of citizens.
Homan and Mayor Adams are partially aligned in their goals, with Adams focused on working alongside ICE to elevate public safety. Despite the apparent cooperation, Homan notes that Adams faces opposition from a city council reluctant to collaborate with federal immigration enforcement. Nevertheless, they are attempting to identify solutions to keep New Yorkers safe, including a renewed focus on the 300,000 missing children believed to have been trafficked or lost in the immigration maze.
The conversation also touched upon the notorious Rikers Island prison, where many criminal aliens are currently housed. Homan has proposed that re-establishing a presence at Rikers for ICE could facilitate safer arrests and processing of these individuals. The reasoning is straightforward; detaining suspected criminals in a secure environment may be far safer for law enforcement, migrants, and the surrounding community compared to apprehending them on the streets, where potentially dangerous situations could arise.
As the incoming administration prepares for these pressing issues, many await the promised changes with a mixture of hope and caution. With discussions surrounding innovative strategies to address criminality and immigration, it remains to be seen how effectively these plans will be put into action. One thing is certain: the focus on security, public safety, and addressing flaws in the current immigration system will be at the forefront as the nation turns a new page.
