Eye On The Canadian Border

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Eye on Canadian border
Sen. Clinton calls on Homeland Security to hire coordinator, more patrols to help protect northern U.S. perimeter

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Eye In The Canadian Border
Apr 21, 2005

BY DEBORAH BARFIELD BERRY
WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON -- Citing concerns that security interests on the northern border have been overshadowed by attention paid to the southern rim, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton called on federal Homeland Security officials Wednesday to hire a coordinator to improve oversight at the Canadian border.

"For too long, northern border security has received too little support when it comes to federal resources," said Clinton (D-N.Y.). "It is critical that we devote the personnel and technology necessary to ensure our security, while easing the flow of goods and people across the border."

Border security was also a focal point during a Senate subcommittee hearing Wednesday, as lawmakers grilled Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff about how the agency will address border security concerns, particularly the shortage of patrols, shoddy technology and lax immigration enforcement.

"There is virtually no security at our borders. People are pouring over our borders," said Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), chairman of the Homeland Security budget subcommittee, where Chertoff was making his first appearance. "Getting more bodies on the border is critical."

While praising Chertoff for taking the agency's top job, Republicans and Democrats complained that Bush's proposed budget doesn't request enough money for resources, including the 2,000 border patrols called for in last year's intelligence overhaul. Bush's spending plan sets aside $37 million for only 210 positions.

Chertoff defended the president's budget proposal, saying the 210 patrols are in addition to the current 10,800 border positions. He also pointed to recent efforts to beef up patrols in Arizona, to increase the number of detention beds and to use more technology, such as a fingerprinting program.

"This is obviously an issue that we have to constantly look at," Chertoff said. Still, he added, there are many things the agency can do better to protect the border. "I am not satisfied with the status quo."

Meanwhile, Clinton introduced legislation Wednesday to create a coordinator at the department who would handle security issues and policies at the Canadian border and act as a liaison between the department and officials from law enforcement agencies and local, state and Canadian governments.

Currently there is no coordinator for the southern or northern border. Traditionally, however, Clinton said, the southern border has gotten most of the attention and resources.

A Homeland Security spokesman said the agency can't comment on the specific legislation, but said Chertoff has launched a review of the department's operations and policies. Chertoff said he expects the review by Memorial Day.

Even though most resources have focused on the southern border, the problems there have only gotten worse, said Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington). "So can you imagine what's happening on the northern border?" he said.

She's right and she knows how to pick the fight!

My son trekked from Alaska thru British Columbia down into Washington State last summer. Absolutely no problem plopping down into the USA.

If i had to pick borders i would say that the Southern Border is more of a concern. We dont have a massive about of Canadian running into the US. Yes i think we should place patrols on the northern border but the southern border is more fo a concern. Hillary is idiot only pandering for votes, so dont buy into her little game.

Acidrain

So little has been allocated for our southern border...a mere 37 Million...compare that to the 970 million for Asian tsuanmi relief, which our government so liberally pledged of our taxes...PR, I think they called it....personal pledges might have been more generous if government hadn't intruded...but I digress...300 BILLION for Iraq...I reel when I think of that...one of the wealthiest countries in the world....300 BILLION...

Thirty seven tiny little drops for our safety and security. I weep.

Now she wants to siphon off some of that for the northern border over which 3,000 illegal immigrants per day are not pouring. And she wants to be president? my my

RR

RoadRunner,

I know it seems less important but there are a few facts that should be more widely known.

Canada doesn't take the massive Muslim migration into their country very seriously. There are known terrorist affiliated groups of people set up in small businesses and left alone.

We've had people moving over the border without detection until too late.
Also, last year a truck that set off the sensors {chem/nuke? whatever they call them} and it wasn't known for several days. Never found the truck. Much of what happens up there is not released to the press.
It's a piece of cake to move into the US. Actually, it's easier because much is wilderness and open to cross. They can also just get in a dingy and row over....did you know that? Row over and walk up the beach to the American Dream.

The only reason why mexico is so noticeable is because it's like locusts of people.

I'm just throwing this out because if one thinks "danger/terrorist" then Canada's a good ticket to ride. They can come in either way so what the heck!

BOTH BORDERS SHOULD BE CLOSED! PERIOD.

I have a Canadian friend to whom I've been sending some of this news. She thought that it was totally 'bizarre' that I'd be interested in doing my part of MMP....until I sent her some of this stuff...she said when something happened there that they never knew it...no news isn't good news...

RR