Photo: U.S. Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R)
Photo Credit: U.S. House of Representatives – Background © Tomas Castelazo, www.tomascastelazo.com / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Published April 16, 2021
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R), representing Tennessee’s 4th congressional district, believes that one of the most pressing issues at hand is the threat of foreign terrorists entering the United States through the southern border.
According to an ABC News article in late March of this year, at least one Customs and Border Protection facility was at 1,600% capacity.
“Certainly, that’s not any kind of protocol that we’ve followed in the United States, and certainly shouldn’t be following at the border,” said Congressman DesJarlais in response to overcrowded conditions in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
DesJarlais questioned United States Airforce General Glen D. VanHerck, commander of the U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command regarding the potential threat of terrorists gaining access to the states via passage through the U.S. – Mexico border
DesJarlais focused his questioning on national security threats, COVID-19 public health threats and the Biden administration’s lax enforcement of current immigration laws.
General VanHerck said, “Border security is national security.
“My assessment would be—nefarious actors that might want to do harm to the United States of America and our citizens if there’s a porous opportunity, they’ll find a way to exploit that.”
VanHerck stated that he believes the perception of weak border enforcement is a contributing factor to the recent massive increase of undocumented migrants flooding the southern border.
“President Biden’s weak enforcement of current border protection laws is a draw for illegal aliens,” said Rep. DesJarlais at the conclusion of the House Armed Services Committee hearing.
