Border insurrection demands action

OPINION:

For the past two years, we have seen constant news coverage of what many now refer to as the Capitol insurrection. The Democrat-controlled Congress even addressed it in prime-time hearings, which were extremely biased in what they showed the American people. Witnesses from the other side of the debate were not televised. It was a well-scripted, one-sided view of the events of Jan. 6, 2021.

Many members of Congress stood outside the Capitol last month on the second anniversary of the riot to keep it in the news and hurt former President Donald Trump politically. On this anniversary, President Biden also had an awards ceremony at the White House where he honored people involved in the chaos that day, including members of the U.S. Capitol Police.

They also honored an officer who killed himself only days after the event. He should be honored, and I pray he rests in peace. Let me be clear: I did not and do not support people who illegally entered the Capitol, or who threatened or assaulted the police or any member of Congress. If they violated the law, they should be held accountable. Also, for anyone that knows me, I strongly support law enforcement, including the Capitol Police. They put themselves in harm’s way to protect that institution and everyone inside. They are among America’s finest.

Considering that the accepted meaning of “insurrection” is an act or instance of rising in revolt, rebellion, or resistance against civil authority or an established government, why didn’t the Democrat-controlled Congress hold hearings on the insurrection at our southern border? Why hasn’t the president had a ceremony for the men and women of the Border Patrol?

There is certainly a rebellion and resistance to our government and our laws occurring on the southern border for the past two years. The criminal cartels of Mexico have operational control of our southern border. They decide who enters, where they enter and what enters. They create gaps in our border security by pushing historic numbers of illegal aliens across the border at a designated time and place to overwhelm the Border Patrol. 

This planned attack causes up to 80% of agents to be pulled off the patrol line and into facilities to process and render aid. It allows the cartels to move massive amounts of fentanyl that have killed over 100,000 Americans. The cartels also transport those who don’t want to turn themselves over the Border Patrol to be processed and released. Why don’t they want to turn themselves in to be processed, released and transported to their final destination free of charge, and receive work authorization when they get there?

The answers to that question are disturbing. These “gotaways” don’t want to be fingerprinted or vetted, and since Mr. Biden has taken office, there are 1.2 million of them thus far. Who are they? They most likely include gang members, criminals, sex offenders, and possible known or suspected terrorists (KSTs). Border Patrol agents have arrested people from 160 different countries, and some of these countries are sponsors of terrorism. The agents have already arrested at least 117 KSTs trying to illegally enter this country. What are the chances that none of the 1.2 million people that wanted to escape arrest is a KST?

So, taking this all into consideration, why hasn’t there been a ceremony for Border Patrol agents? They protect our nation’s borders much like the Capitol Police protect the Capitol and are also fighting an insurrection. They are overrun — not once, but every day. They have been assaulted in record numbers. They have also seen suicides, including 14 in one year.

Our Border Patrol agents have arrested known or suspected terrorists and over 67,000 convicted criminals trying to enter this country illegally since Mr. Biden assumed the presidency. They put their lives on the line every day to protect the people of this great nation.

Many in Congress have vilified them as racist and inhumane, even though they have saved thousands of lives. They have been slandered by the president and the secretary of homeland security on a false claim that they whipped Black migrants. Even after they were found not guilty, there was no mention of that from either the homeland security secretary or president. Why weren’t the results of the investigation announced from that same White House?

There are 151 names of Border Patrol agents who have died in the line of duty inscribed on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington. I suggest that members of Congress and the president walk along those walls and pray for the fallen and their families. Maybe then, we can stop the political games and honor all who sacrifice, not just the ones who serve a political purpose.

• Tom Homan is a senior fellow at the Immigration Reform Law Institute and the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.