McCaul Urges DHS to Use Military Assessment to Secure US-MX Border

Press Release

Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chairman of the Homeland Security Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee, urged DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to use a strategic military assessment by two retired military generals to develop a template for a comprehensive strategy to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. The report, "Texas Border Security: A Strategic Military Assessment" by Generals Barry McCaffrey and Bob Scales, was presented to the subcommittee during an October 14 hearing.

"A comprehensive strategy is needed for our Southern Border," Chairman McCaul stated in a letter to Secretary Napolitano based on hearing testimony. He noted that the report "provides a strategic framework incorporating state and local participation."

The report outlined how Mexican drug cartels exploit holes in U.S. border security to infiltrate the United States and establish drug trafficking lanes and that cartels are working to set up a safe zone one county deep within U.S. border states. It further noted the success of state authorities, the Texas Rangers, to counter cartel operations. Missing, however, is adequate support from the federal government.

Subsequent investigations and reports have revealed Iran's ties to Latin America and its attempt to coordinate with a Mexican drug cartel to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador on U.S. Soil.

"The Mexican drug cartels present a dangerous threat to the national security of the United States," Congressman McCaul stated in the letter. "I strongly urge you to use every capability of the U.S. Government to counter this growing threat to our economy, our security and well being of our citizens."

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