Border security is national security

These days, any debate or conversation on border security quickly leads to a bigger discussion on immigration reform. The partisan vitriol in our environment makes it difficult for either side to find common ground and obscures a larger issue we should all be able to agree on—protecting our fellow Americans from attack. America’s immigration policy will be debated for years to come as violent extremist organizations remain a threat. We must secure our air, land and maritime borders.  

As a part of fixing America’s immigration policy, I continue to support a long-term solution for those currently protected from deportation under DACA, and I recognize the importance of immigration to the success of our economy. I also want to ensure families are not separated during the adjudication process. However, I am increasingly concerned that our rush to fix immigration policy is blinding us to a growing threat to our homeland. U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials warn that violent extremist organizations like the Islamic State remain steadfast in their desire to attack the United States. As the military destruction of the physical “caliphate” continues in Syria, we also know hundreds of foreign fighters are scattering throughout the West to continue their jihad. Even more alarming, Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen recently confirmed in open testimony before the House Committee on Homeland Security that written materials seized from the Islamic State explicitly urge its followers to enter the United States through the Southwest border.

{mosads}A secure homeland requires defense in depth and starts thousands of miles from the border. Here too, the reports are troubling. Admiral Kurt Tidd, Commander of the U.S. Southern Command for Central and South America, recently stated that the same pathways and vulnerabilities used for years by criminal organizations to traffic drugs and people north can be exploited by terrorist organizations to move sympathizers into Central America and eventually, the United States. Stalwart regional partners like Guatemala confirm they have detained dozens of persons of Middle East origin on their way to the U.S. using falsified travel documents. Rear Admiral Brian Hendrickson of Southern Command noted “some have ties to terrorism and some have intentions to conduct attacks in the homeland.” Last month, Secretary Nielsen confirmed that each day the U.S. is tracking 15 suspected terrorists either travelling or planning to travel to the United States. These acknowledgements should be deeply troubling to all Americans, regardless of party or stance on immigration policy.

Border security is national security and we cannot let our legitimate disagreements over immigration policy compromise our ability to protect those who call America home. I call on my colleagues in Congress to uphold our shared obligation to provide for the common defense by adopting legislation that secures our sovereign borders.

Bacon represents Nebraska’s 2^nd District. He is a retired Air Force Brigadier General and member of the House Homeland Security and Armed Services Committees