“For years, we were told that apprehensions are down and the border is more secure. In reality, we all knew that the economy was the primary driver in reducing potential illegal border crossers. In the last 2 years, with slight improvements in the economy, we have seen a 20 percent increase in the number of apprehensions. Does that mean the border is less or more secure?”, said McCain.
On December 17, 201 Senator John McCain of Arizona asked for and was granted permission to address the full Senate regarding a matter of some urgency, namely “border security.”
“For years, we were told that apprehensions are down and the border is more secure. In reality, we all knew that the economy was the primary driver in reducing potential illegal border crossers. In the last 2 years, with slight improvements in the economy, we have seen a 20 percent increase in the number of apprehensions. Does that mean the border is less or more secure?”
“For years DHS has been telling us they are developing a border security index in a shift away from using apprehensions as the sole measure of success and to get a true measure of security along the border. We have been waiting 3 years with no sign that the index will be made public. All indications are the development of the index has been shelved”, he said.
“Until Congress is provided greater information on the capabilities and deficiencies of the Department of Homeland Security’s abilities to secure the border, Congress will not be able to determine if the border is secure. I regret that Jeh Johnson has refused to commit to providing this information to Congress, and I do not support his nomination”, said Senator McCain (source: Congressional Record http://thomas.loc.gov).
McCain is the senior senator from Arizona. He is a leading advocate of border security in the United States Senate.