Millions dead from the initial impact, millions more will die in the months and years to come. This is the scene from ground zero of a nuclear attack. Our future can hold this and much more. What once seemed like something imperceivable has inevitably become a very plausible scenario. Something, as simple as a private jet chartered from Canada into Montana (which goes unchecked) can transport a nuclear device into this country. Let’s take an even less sophisticated method of smuggling it in: someone driving a car across the US/Mexico border plows through the checkpoints and steps on the gas, all the way to San Diego, barely a half hour away he drives into downtown and detonates the bomb. He might even do this as he is being chased. California is well known for its car chases, so the police might even back off. These are some of the biggest threats we face in our country, and undoubtedly, there are many more.

There is one simple step we can take if not to stop but to at least minimize the threats to our American way of life. By putting troops on the border we will effectively plug the porous borders we have to our north and south. Having personal experience in the military, I could tell you first hand that our primary task was to protect the perimeter from enemy penetration. Take this concept and apply it towards our borders, and it should provide the same level of security as it does in our military bases around the world.

The protection of our borders not only guards our citizenry, but also hinders illegal immigration and drug smuggling into this country. When you consider that we currently have anywhere from 8 to 13 million illegal aliens in this country draining billions of dollars from taxpayers by way of jobs, health care, and many other social services, that have and will continue to take its toll on local economies. A recent study conducted by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) says that illegal immigrants enter this country at a rate of 1,918 per day. Of these, consider that if only a tenth of these people are criminals, then that is reason enough to put troops on our borders.

Securing our borders with troops, though, a simple solution to a complicated problem can however raise some concern in the minds of many people. Many, especially on the left are fearful that we will become a police state. One or two instances of excessive force are used as examples to convey their message, such as, when a Marine training along side the border patrol shot dead an illegal alien attempting to cross the border. Another argument made against this is that we will offend and possibly isolate our neighbors. Others maintain that we have to be sensitive to the needs of illegal immigrants, even the former Director of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge is quoted as saying that “we have cultural and historical” reasons for not putting troops on our borders.

Many times we need a significant life event to change our train of thought or consider other options on different issues. Placing troops on our borders is something the American people overwhelmingly support as indicated by a recent poll: The poll of 1,015 likely voters by Zogby Int’l found that 68 percent of respondents believe the government should deploy troops on the borders to curb illegal immigration. Fifty-eight percent agreed that the U.S. should admit fewer immigrants each year. The problem with this is not support for it, but rather another sticky political correctness ordeal.

Furthermore, on the legal side of things, there really isn’t much on the books stopping us from putting troops on the border. The 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the federal role of troops reads like this: “Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.” This law is basically principle oriented and not very legally binding because it has been weakened by amendments authorizing limited use of troops on our borders.

Placing troops on our borders will not only serve to protect us but also to send a clear message to foreign nationals and enemies that we our willing to protect ourselves from them. This is an issue that has only recently gotten more attention due to the September 11th attacks, but that many have had on their minds for a long time. Action is needed now on this issue, next time might just be too late. September 11th made us realize just how vulnerable we are. Just as we are righteously pursuing terrorist around the globe, we ought not forget the first line of defense starts at home.

Works Cited

Kenne, Lara. “Tancredo, Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus Call on

President to Place Troops on U.S. Border” 18 June 2002. House.gov.

“Pandering to Mexico, Ridge won’t militarize border.” 1 March 2002. Newsmax.com

Wires.

“US borders still open nuclear smuggling.” 31 October 2002. Newsmax.com Wires.

“Using troops as cops.” 11 November 2002. Free-market.net.

Written By Val Morales. Val Morales is the owner and founder of Republican Operative.com, a conservative forum.