Southwest border is ‘gaping wound’ in homeland security, DHS chief says

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times - Tuesday, February 7, 2017

The lack of a border fence is “a gaping wound” in America’s defenses, newly minted Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly told Congress on Tuesday, promising to quickly erect walls in spots where the Border Patrol says a barrier is needed right now.

Mr. Kelly also promised lawmakers would see a marked jump in morale at his department, saying tens of thousands of immigration agents had been despondent after having their hands tied by the Obama administration, and are now eager to get back to enforcing the law — the job they were hired to do.

The retired Marine general, testifying to the House Homeland Security Committee, swatted aside complaints from lawmakers upset over the rhetoric of President Trump, saying he’s talked with agents on the ground who say there is a need for fencing.

“The people that work the border will tell you that physical barriers, backed up by men and women, is what we need to secure the southwest border,” Mr. Kelly said.

The secretary also promised a streamlined approach to speedier deportations of criminals and defended Mr. Trump’s new office designed to keep tabs on illegal immigrants held in local prisons and jails.

Mr. Kelly said victims and their families will be able to call the office to find out where things stand with the cases, and he also said it will help his agents when they want to go get the criminals.