Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz recently told lawmakers that the United States currently does not have operational control over the southern border. This is pretty clear given the millions of people who have crossed over the border illegally since Joe Biden took over as president.
During a field hearing held by the Homeland Security Committee in McAllen, Texas, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green pointed out that the formal definition of what it means to have “operational control” according to American law is “the prevention of all unlawful entries into the United States, including entries by terrorists, other unlawful aliens, instruments of terrorism, narcotics and other contraband.”
Ortiz was asked during the hearing if he believed Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was telling fibs last year when he stated the U.S. had operational control of the border.
“About ten years ago, we used operational control as a measuring stick of our effectiveness along the southwest border. My new strategy is geared towards mission advantage,” Ortiz commented.
When he was asked, point blank, if our country had operational control of the border we share with Mexico, Ortiz said “no.”
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Here’s more from Just the News:
Ortiz also said the inability to “repatriate” migrants who illegally cross the border back to their home countries has been a “tremendous challenge” during the Biden Administration.
Green said the State Department has allowed the “return agreements” for migrants apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border to expire rather than renegotiate them.
Green asked Ortiz if those expired agreements have made it harder for law enforcement to send migrants back to their home countries after they cross the border illegally.
“Our inability to repatriate individuals to certain countries in a tremendous challenge. I would have agree with that,” Ortiz replied.
Ortiz was later asked by the committee if he thought it was a good idea to reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy and giving Title 42 restrictions an extension.
“I support any policy that’s going to allow us to repatriate individuals back to their home country,” he responded.
“Every policy that allows us to repatriate or reduce the flow of migrants is certainly going to increase our operational effectiveness and our ability to control that border,” Ortiz added.
“I remain proud of the work of our horse patrol units and what we did in Del Rio. As the chief of the Border Patrol, I am ultimately responsible for all operational decisions. To that point and as a senior field commander during that response, I accepted and continue to accept full responsibility for the actions taken,” Ortiz explained during the hearing.
