U.S. Border Patrol chief Jason Owens has expressed concern about the situation at the southern border, calling it a “national security threat.” Owens stated that Border Patrol is on track to record one million apprehensions of migrants between ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border in the 2024 fiscal year, with two million apprehensions expected by the end of September. Owens highlighted the issue of “known got-aways,” referring to migrants who evade apprehension and enter the country without being detected, posing a threat to communities.
Owens emphasized that border security is a crucial component of national security, as it is important to know who is entering the country and their intentions. While acknowledging that the majority of migrants are good people fleeing poverty or violence, Owens stressed the need for migrants to follow legal pathways into the U.S. and not break the law. Despite concerns about criminal actors exploiting the situation at the border, statistics show that a small fraction of apprehended migrants have criminal records, and they do not commit crimes at a higher rate than native-born Americans.
The surge in migration to the U.S. over the past few years has been driven by cartels, according to Owens, who stated that the cartels are setting the “rules of engagement” at the southern border. Owens, a career Border Patrol official with over 25 years of experience, called for tougher immigration policies to reduce the number of migrants arriving at the border, including jail time, removal from the country, and bans on returning for those who choose to enter illegally. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas praised Owens as a talented and inspiring leader when he took over as Border Patrol chief in June 2023.
Overall, the situation at the southern border remains a complex issue with concerns about national security, criminal activity, and the humanitarian crisis driving migrants to seek better opportunities in the U.S. Border Patrol continues to work to address the challenges posed by the influx of migrants while emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of communities across the country. The ongoing debate over immigration policies and border security measures is likely to remain a contentious issue as the Biden administration navigates the complexities of managing the southern border.
