Former Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf recently warned of the expanding impact of the border crisis, revealing a surge in illegal border crossings, fentanyl-related deaths and human trafficking, with Montana emerging as a focal point, according to a press release.
"Today's border crisis is preventable," Wolf said. "It simply takes leadership and the willingness to implement deterrence policies, allow law enforcement to enforce immigration law and secure our border."
In an op-ed, Wolf sheds light on the consequences of the border crisis and its impact on communities far from the U.S.-Mexico border. Writing for the America First Policy Institute, Wolf draws attention to the surge of activities along the northern border and the implications for Montana residents.
Wolf's critique of the Biden administration's handling of the border crisis is unambiguous, labeling it as a combination of security, humanitarian and fentanyl-related crises. He points to the number of people who crossed the border illegally being released into American communities and a host of other outcomes affecting American society. He argues that the consequences of this crisis transcend geographical boundaries.
Drawing on statistics, Wolf highlights an increase in unlawful border crossings along the northern border under the Biden administration. While the numbers may be smaller compared to the southern border, he emphasizes that the surge in human trafficking and illegal narcotics smuggling "should be a red flag." Apprehensions of people crossing the border illegally at the northern border have tripled since June 2022, consistently exceeding 10,000 per month for over a year.
Montana, in particular, has become a focal point for the northern border crisis, witnessing a 30% surge in illegal apprehensions this fiscal year alone. Wolf notes a historical shift in demographics, with Mexican nationals increasingly making up the majority of unlawful border crossers. He blames the redirection of Border Patrol agents from the northern border to process people in the south for leaving northern border communities vulnerable to criminal elements.
Wolf highlights the consequences of the border crisis in Montana, pointing to an 11,000% increase in fentanyl seizures between 2019 and 2023. He said the growing threat of fentanyl poses issues due to unchecked smuggling along the largely unmanned northern border. Mexican drug cartels have capitalized on this vulnerability to reroute their trafficking operations, impacting the lives of Montanans and migrants alike.
Wolf contends that the Biden administration has the tools at its disposal, inherited from the previous administration, to address the crisis and protect American citizens.
