In the past 7 months, Jim Desmond, a county leader in San Diego, revealed that over 125,000 migrants have been released from detention onto the streets of San Diego without proper vetting. This surge of border crossings in Southern California has overwhelmed Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, leading to dire consequences for the rest of the country. Migrants are able to cross the border unimpeded due to gaps in the border wall and the lack of resources for proper enforcement. CBP sources have shared that migrants are released too quickly after crossing the border, with many heading to other parts of the country, such as the East Coast.
While most migrants move on to other cities, the impact on San Diego is evident. Migrants are being dropped off at a transit center without adequate facilities, causing issues of loitering and public urination. Local reports have shown migrants sleeping at San Diego Airport while awaiting flights to other destinations within the US. The airport has been criticized for resembling a makeshift migrant shelter, with an estimated 90% of migrants continuing to cities like Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles. The San Diego sector has seen an 85% increase in encounters in February compared to the previous year, with agents making a record number of encounters in fiscal year 2023.
Desmond has expressed concerns about the lack of proper vetting for migrants and the potential consequences for national security. He believes that open border policies and the high number of migrants arriving at the border have led to a failure in identifying potential threats. Desmond points to the preventable tragedy of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old student who was killed near her campus in February, allegedly by a migrant who was previously arrested and released by border patrol. Increased enforcement of current laws is needed to ensure that people can enter the country legally and safely.
Under President Biden, there have been nearly 7.3 million encounters at the border, a number greater than the population of 36 individual states. Record numbers of migrants on the terror watchlist have been encountered trying to enter the US, further highlighting the importance of proper vetting procedures. Desmond stresses the need for enforcing current laws to prevent illegal border crossings and ensure the security of the country. Proper vetting processes, including interviews and checks, are essential for identifying potential threats and maintaining national security.
Desmond believes that the Biden administration and Homeland Security are not adequately enforcing the laws, leading to vulnerabilities in border security. He warns of the dangers of not detaining asylum seekers until their claims are validated, citing the case of Laken Riley as an example of the tragic consequences of lapses in border security. Desmond emphasizes the need for a more humane and secure process for managing the influx of migrants at the border, with a focus on proper vetting and enforcement of laws. The current situation in San Diego is indicative of broader national security concerns and the need for action to address the challenges posed by unchecked illegal immigration.
