U.S. Military Digs In
For Long-Term Border Security Mission, by Conservative Zone, 12/10/18.
The crisis at the
Mexican border may have indefinitely changed U.S. policy as Secretary of
Defense Gen. James “Mad Dog” Mattis extended troop deployment. “I think that it’s very
clear that support (for) the border police or Border Patrol is necessary right
now,” Secretary Mattis reportedly said.
Following the riots by
caravan migrants who attacked U.S. Border Patrol agents in an attempt illegally
gain entrance, the Department of Homeland Security submitted a request to the
Pentagon for a continued military presence.
“The president has made
it clear that border security is a top administration priority,” DHS
spokeswoman Katie Waldman reportedly said. “DHS has reached out for assistance
from partners across the federal government to defend our sovereignty, protect
our frontline men and women, and secure our border. We appreciate all of the
support we have received to date.”
That request asks for a
reduction of the 5,600 soldiers currently in place to approximately 4,000. The
lower ground forces request is based upon measured success at repelling the
10,000-strong mostly male horde. Border agents were forced to deploy tear gas
and fire rubber bullets as criminal migrants charged them throwing rocks and
broken bottles. Caravan organizers have been arrested in Mexico for violence
and criminal activity. News reports claim they tried to force women and
children to the front of the mob as human shields.
“Do it by plane, do it
by bus, do it any way you want, but they are NOT coming into the U.S.A.,” Pres.
Trump tweeted. “We will close the Border permanently if need be.”
Mexican authorities have
arrested and deported hundreds of migrants and upwards of 600 felons have
reportedly been identified hiding within the ranks. Among the criminal
histories of these illegals are charges of rape, murder, and gang affiliation.
The recent DHS request provides tactical military support for frontlines law
enforcement official who remain at risk.
“Today, DHS submitted a
request for assistance to the Department of Defense to extend its support
through January 31, 2019,” Pentagon spokesman Army Lt. Col. Jamie Davis said.
“This request refines support to ensure it remains aligned with the current
threat, the nature of the mission, and (U.S. Customs and Border Patrol)
operational requirements.”
The president has
empowered U.S. forces to use force — deadly force if necessary — should the
migrants attack law enforcement or use violence to penetrate the border. Many
of the Central Americans are lingering in Tijuana awaiting asylum claims to be
processed. It is widely known that they forfeited the option to gain U.S. refugee status by turning down earlier
asylum offers from the Mexican government. But the crisis at the
border has inextricably altered the way American sovereignty is defended from
foreign incursions.
During both the George
W. Bush and Obama administrations, troops were called up to protect the border.
Migrants massed in groups in the hundreds. But the lure of sanctuary cities and
American welfare benefits has acted as a magnet for low-income Central
Americans. Coyotes are amassing hordes in the thousands designed to overwhelm
border agents. Pres. Donald J. Trump has indicated that troops will remain in
place “as long as necessary” and the first extension of 45 days is unlikely to be the last.
“We have a tremendous
military force on the southern border, we have large numbers of people trying
to get into our country,” Pres. Trump said. “They built great fencing, they
built a very powerful fence. The fence is fully manned, nobody gets through.”
The president had
already called for more than 2,000 National Guardsmen to support the border
efforts before adding 5,600 military regulars. All told, upwards of 8,000
support personnel are in place, and the modest reduction requested by DHS still
leaves a large tactical force in place.
The ability of migrants
to mass and try to storm the border again remains an ongoing threat. That
danger will require a capable ongoing ground force with the skills and agility
to withstand further attacks.
The current military
presence is digging in through January 2019. However, until Congress approves
the necessary funding to build a wall and enhance border security, American
soldiers could remain in place indefinitely.~ Conservative Zone
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody
GA Tea Party Leader
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