Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Laurel Brishel Prichard-University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Alan Bersin defended the progress that the Department of Homeland Security has made in protecting the United States' southwest border and stemming the illegal drug flow from Mexico Wednesday.

“We recognize that the [drug war] is a journey that will not be accomplished over night, but the important point is that it is a journey in which the first steps have been taken,” said Bersin during a hearing before a House Appropriations Subcommittee.

Bersin stressed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) currently have one of the best working relationships that they have ever had with the Mexican government.

The CBP seized nearly 500,000 pounds of drugs in the first six months of FY 2010 and has apprehended more than $8 million in illegal currency between ports of entry, according to Bersin.

“These numbers demonstrate the effectiveness of our layered approach to security, comprised of a balance of tactical infrastructure, technology, and personnel at our borders,” said Bersin.

Rep. David Price (D-NC) argued that not enough has been done to eliminate the drug trade, and pointed out that since the Mexican drug cartels were confronted by their President Felipe Calderon, over 18,000 people, including 79 Americans, have been killed in Mexico.

“The truth is the cartels are engaged in criminal activity everyday in cities and communities on both sides of the border, and not just along the border. We need to focus on meaningful ways to deal with cartels and their violence, on the border and beyond,” said Price.

Bersin argued that with the approval of the FY 2011 budget proposal, which would allow $100 million for increased tactical infrastructure construction and improvements, the CBP and ICE could elevate and continue with the ongoing fight against the violence that threatens the United States southern border.