Chertoff Talks Border Security

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is answering questions about his department’s approach to border security in this country, and whether tightening the borders will do anything to keep us safe from terrorist attack.

Chertoff sat down with the editorial board from the San Diego Union-Tribune, the results of which were published as a Q & A on Sunday. During the interview, Chertoff addressed questions about what his department is doing to tighten border security and how that will protect us from terrorism.

The editorial board asked Chertoff to what extent he sees illegal immigration as a national security risk related to terrorism. “I think there is some element of risk obviously for terrorists coming in at the borders,” Chertoff replied. “The hijackers of 9-11 came in through points of entry.”

But Chertoff also cautioned that it might not be the biggest risk. “I can't tell you that sneaking between the border (checkpoints) is necessarily a higher risk than the other risks,” he said. “To be fair, I think the public has a kind of basic right to say we ought to be able to control our borders. There's a huge force drawing people across the border. To be realistic, you have to come up with a solution that creates an avenue for people who are coming to work not to do harm.”

The editorial board also asked Chertoff how long he thought it would take to show the American people that his approach to border control is working. “This is not something that is going to get cured at the end of the fiscal year,” he replied. “We're talking about making measurable steps in the first year. I'm hoping we can make a significant difference in two or three years.”

When asked if any suspected terrorists have crossed the border illegally, Chertoff admitted that there have been “some circumstances where people have crossed the border where we have some suspicion about their ties.”

To read the full article, click here: http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060115/news_lz1e15chertof.html