ImmigrationNo extra funding for increased Pentagon presence on southern border
Marine Corps Gen. John Kelly, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), has stated that illegal immigration and its effects are threatening to destabilize the region and are a national security threat to the United States. President Barack Obama’s $3.7 billion supplemental request to congress, however,, does not include any additional funding for military operations.
Marine Corps Gen. John Kelly, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), has stated that illegal immigration and its effects are threatening to destabilize the region. Following this, however, was the fact that President Barack Obama’s $3.7 billion supplemental request to congress, which does not include any additional funding for military operations.
As Defense One reports, Kelly told the news site last week that “All this corruption and violence is directly or indirectly due to the insatiable U.S. demand for drugs, particularly cocaine, heroin and now methamphetamines, all of which are produced in Latin American and smuggled into the U.S. along an incredibly efficient network which anything – hundreds of tons of drugs, people, terrorists, potentially weapons of mass destruction or children – can travel, so long as they can pay the fare.”
Kelly also stated that these crossings across the Mexican border were an “existential threat” to the United States itself, in the face of increased military budget cuts. His statements were backed by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.
Additionally, much has been made of the recent mass migrations of unaccompanied children from poor countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Currently, three military bases have been converted to house many of these children, leading to much public controversy.
In response to this, the recent White House request for more emergency funding included grants to federal agencies such as the Departments of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and Justice, which are currently having a difficult time handling the extra processing and procedures for increased migration. The majority of the money would add additional security personnel and judicial employees, but is notable for not adding any military funding.
White House press secretary Shawn Turner also added that “the White House did not ask the Pentagon for recommendations to the president’s border security expansion package.”
Despite these arguments, Obama did say he would consider sending the National Guard to the border following requests from the Texas legislature and Governor Rick Perry (R). During a speech in Dallas, he said, “We’d be happy to consider it,” implying that the dialogue for a military solution might still be ongoing.
