Thread: Kelly says terror threat from southern border keeps him 'awake at night'

By Adam Shaw Published April 18, 2017

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly warned Tuesday that the next terror attack could be committed by enemies sneaking through America's southern border, as he defended the tough actions being taken by the Trump administration to secure the region.

“I'm staying up late at night every night to try to prevent that from happening. So that's what keeps me ... awake at night,” Kelly said of the terror threat.

He made the comments during a Q&A session following a speech at George Washington University. In the address, he called the administration’s fight against illegal immigration “really remarkable” and pushed back on criticism from Capitol Hill -- saying lawmakers can either change the law or "shut up."

“The dramatic reduction is evident across the southwest border,” he said. “... These numbers are lower because we've shown that we're serious about border security and enforcing our immigration laws.”

Kelly said while there has been a 70 percent reduction in illegal immigrants in the first 90 days of the young Trump administration, the terror threat from the southern border is still significant.

“I said it a lot back then, and I'm trying to do something about it now, that if there is -- when there is another terrorist attack in our country, if it comes from outside the country, up until 90 days ago, I would say that that individual or individuals … get into the United States through the southwest border,” he said.

He also used the address to blast lawmakers who take shots at Homeland Security staff, whom he said are often mistreated in a way similar to police officers. He added that if lawmakers don’t like what they are doing, then lawmakers should change the laws they are following.

“[Employees] are often ridiculed and insulted by public officials and frequently convicted in the court of public opinion on unfounded allegations testified to by street lawyers and street spokespersons,” he said.

“If lawmakers do not like the laws that we enforce, that we are charged to enforce, that we are sworn to enforce, then they should have the courage and the skill to change those laws. Otherwise, they should shut up and support the men and women on the front lines,” he said.

President Trump made clamping down on illegal immigration one of the central planks on his campaign, and has sought to deliver with a number of sweeping moves.

Critics have argued that the agency is too heavy-handed in enforcement operations, including arresting immigrants in the U.S. illegally whose only offense is being in the country without permission.

More than 21,000 immigrants in the U.S. illegally have been arrested since President Donald Trump took office in January, compared to about 16,000 people during the same time last year. About a quarter of those arrests were immigrants who had no criminal history, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

During the Obama administration, ICE agents were told to focus strictly on immigrants convicted of serious crimes or those who otherwise posed a threat to public safety.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017...-at-night.html

QUOTE: Critics have argued that the agency is too heavy-handed in enforcement operations, including arresting immigrants in the U.S. illegally whose only offense is being in the country without permission.

I'm sorry being here illegally is enough for me! These critics CONSTANTLY forget to mention that their life here is ALL criminal! Jumping a border is just the beginning, if they work that's illegal. If they accept Government handouts in ANY form, that's illegal. If they operate a vehicle, in most cases that's illegal. I am sick and tired of these leeches expecting you and me to finance their entire existence. Every time I see them whip out an EBT card it's like they are saying to me "YOUR money is MINE, and MY money is for my family and I".

If DHS Secretary John Kelly is really serious about securing our borders he should enforce all laws against illegal immigration including cracking down on employers that hire illegals and getting rid of DACA Amnesty which signals people around the world they can illegally immigrate to the US and be rewarded and protected even if it if violates our laws and Constitution!

W

Secretary Kelly should advise President Trump to deploy our troops to the border on a temporary assignment...this is an invasion.

OPERATION "RETURN TO SENDER"

Hand ALL minor's over into the care and custody of THEIR President on their soil and deport the rest within 24 hours.