Currently, goods driven from the interior of Mexico arrive at the border where they are transferred to another truck with driver that crosses the border and clears customs. The cargo is then transferred to a third – U.S. based – shipper and delivered to its final destination. My niece could spot the glaring inefficiencies in this current system. She’s seven.
Reuters reported Friday that, President Obama “expects Congress to overhaul the country’s immigration system…”early next year.” Speaking to Hispanic reporters at the White House, Obama said he hopes a bill for comprehensive immigration reform will be drafted by the end of this year.” He has tasked Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano with working with Congress to draft the bill. This is a prescription for disaster…and here is why.
FEMA Director Craig Fugate, along with Dave Maxwell of the National Emergency Management Association, made the case during a recent congressional hearing for a comprehensive plan to leverage the day-to-day capabilities of local communities — from first responders to housing and infrastructure to private sector interests. It was an eloquent argument. Unfortunately, some in Washington are still focused on re-aligning organizational charts in the federal bureaucracy rather than engaging a debate on how to establish a truly national emergency management strategy.
Yet another embarrassing situation for TSA occurred earlier this week when TSA screeners at Fort Lauderdale airport decided to confiscate a toy sword and bright red wooden gun from two young boys on the way back home from Disney World.
In a chance to turn the table on the media, a group from the private sector engaged in homeland security work were able to grill some top-notch beat reporters who cover homeland issues. One point of discussion that arose was that while DHS seems more low key and less visible than it was under the previous administration, many of the previous administration’s policies are being carried into the Obama era.
Wednesday’s Senate hearing on security lapses at federal government buildings around the U.S. brings up the need for better technology at those security checkpoints, not unlike the upgrades underway at U.S. airports.
Immigration is once again creeping to the forefront of the national agenda. Decisions yesterday by DHS to implement E-Verify for federal contractors, on the one hand, while killing the Social Security “no match” letters to businesses on the other has sparked renewed and vigorous debate on worksite enforcement issues. What does this all mean for the business community?
Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its most Orwellian pronouncement yet. They plan to rollback responsible, reasonable workplace verification rules and replace them with unworkable, intrusive, expensive and likely no more effective verification rules.
Looking tough on immigration law isn’t the same as being tough and Obama has yet to clearly layout an immigration plan. The right approach to immigration is one that enforces the law, protects Americans, brings in new legal immigrants, and keeps everyone safer. Obama’s strategy should include all of the above.
Sponsored by:
