Border Security Expert Jaeson Jones on Cartels, ICE, and National Security Threats

Border Security and Cartel Evolution

• 🚨 The Mexican border is described as the largest U.S. intelligence failure since 9/11, with Mexican cartels now responsible for killing more Americans than any other terrorist organization.
• 📈 Cartels have evolved from organized crime into an insurgency, then terrorism, and finally a parallel government, a transformation missed by U.S. intelligence agencies.
• 🎯 Efforts to designate Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations were ongoing for eight years.

Border Security Under Trump Administration

• 🛡️ The border is currently the most secure it has ever been, with 10,000 Mexican National Guard and 10,000 U.S. soldiers deployed in unprecedented "mirroring operations."
• 🤝 These operations involve military-to-military collaboration to protect sovereignty and shut down cartel "Halon" networks (scouts, falcons, lookouts).
• 🗺️ New capabilities of U.S. Border Patrol, combined with Trump administration policies and operations, have stopped illegal immigration at an unprecedented level.

The Role of ICE and Mass Deportation

• ⚖️ The fastest way to public safety is through mass deportation, a shift from previous immigration approaches.
• 🌍 The Biden-Harris administration has allowed millions of people from over 100 countries into the U.S., creating a public safety and national security threat due to unknown backgrounds.
• 🚫 The perception that illegal immigrants will be apprehended and deported deters migration, saving individuals from dangerous journeys and cartel exploitation.

Enforcement Challenges and Policy Recommendations

• ⚠️ The current federal government model is insufficient; implementing the 287G program would allow state and local law enforcement to assist in identifying and apprehending individuals linked to criminal networks.
• 🔗 Improved connectivity between data systems is crucial for law enforcement to identify potential terrorists or cartel members during routine stops.
• 🗣️ There's a failure to communicate the severity of current threats, leading to an outdated enforcement model even under administrations that have made efforts.

Addressing Domestic Radical Groups

• 🚫 The designation of Antifa as a terrorist organization provides focus and requires federal entities to increase intelligence collection and enforcement operations.
• 🌍 While domestic authorities are limited by the Fourth Amendment, global operations against Antifa could utilize the full tools of national power.
• 💰 Financial investigations into Antifa's network and backers are crucial, involving the Department of Treasury, but require proving the illicit nature of funds and securing indictments.
• 🏛️ There's a systemic failure at the federal level, including within the DOJ, that requires accountability and a more aggressive focus on dismantling these networks.