Former DHS chief: There’s no security crisis near the southern border
By Olivia Gazis
/ CBS News
To the extent there is an emergency on the U.S. southern border, it is the result of a humanitarian crisis, not a security crisis, according to former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson.
He spoke in reference to recent statements made by President Trump and members of his administration, many of which blamed a supposed influx of illegal immigration for creating a "humanitarian and security crisis" near the U.S.-Mexico border. Mr. Trump has demanded "urgent action" from Congress, mainly in the form of billions in additional funding to support, among other things, the construction of miles of physical barriers along the frontier.
"There is so much emotion, politics and misinformation about immigration and about our southern border," said Johnson, who ran the U.S. government's third-largest department from 2013 to 2017 during the Obama administration. "So here are the facts: the facts are that illegal migration on our southern border is a fraction of what it used to be."
Johnson said that apprehensions of migrants attempting to cross the border into the United States had fallen to an annual level of between 300,000-400,000 – down significantly from a high of 1.6 million in fiscal year 2000.
Meanwhile, Johnson said, "There's a humanitarian crisis in Central America that leads to the circumstances on our southern border today. And during a spike, you see local communities in, say, McAllen or Laredo or El Paso or in Southern California that are flooded with migrants."
Increasing levels of violence and poverty in Central American countries like Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, Johnson said, have propelled entire families to seek safety in the United States. "That itself presents unique challenges," he said, "because our system is really not equipped to deal with a lot of women and children and families. And this administration is seeing that now."
"But a security crisis per se? No. I would not characterize it that way," Johnson said. "I think there is some fear-mongering going on."
In an interview with Intelligence Matters host and CBS News senior national security contributor Michael Morell, Johnson, who also served as general counsel at the Pentagon, said the topic of immigration had been, in his experience, "the most difficult, intractable, emotional, politicized" issue with which he has dealt. He added that its highly-charged complexities make it unlikely for politicians of either party to risk seeking the middle ground.
Last month, the government was partially shut down for a record 35 days amid a failure by lawmakers and the White House to reach a mutually acceptable political solution. Though he had previously threatened a second shutdown, Mr. Trump indicated on Tuesday afternoon that he was close to accepting a bipartisan compromise brokered by congressional leaders late Monday.
Johnson thinks the first one had already taken a toll, saying it had done "a level of damage to our federal government and our security efforts that will last months, if not years, in terms of morale, recruitment, retention, re-enlistment."
And the administration has a litany of other national security priorities to address, he said, including deterring increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks, mitigating terrorist-inspired attacks on U.S. soil, and protecting the integrity of upcoming elections. Boosting security at the southern border is also within the administration's reach, he said, with a few, potentially less contentious, policy choices.
"We have to make a long-term investment in addressing the poverty and violence in Central America," Johnson said. "It has been done before – like the so-called Plan Colombia," he said, referring to a multifaceted aid initiative conceived during the Clinton administration to combat Colombian drug cartels.
"That is not a political quick fix," Johnson said. "And here in Washington, so often people want political quick fixes."
For much more from Michael Morell's conversation with Jeh Johnson, you can listen to the new episode and subscribe to Intelligence Matters here.
First published on February 13, 2019
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Mom of 3 arrested during ICE check-in, set for deportation
Ilsa Guzman, who's married and has been in the U.S. since entering illegally in 1999 and being denied asylum, was whisked away without warning
updated 10M ago 
Former DHS chief: No security crisis near southern border
On "Intelligence Matters" this week, former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson tells host Michael Morell there's too much fear-mongering in today's political discourse
updated 11M ago 
Transcript: Michael Rogers on "Intelligence Matters"
The former DHS chief says there’s no security crisis near the southern border
updated 11M ago 
2 kids found in dog cages, 2 more covered in waste in barn
All appeared malnourished; the local sheriff near Rhome, Texas, outside Dallas, called it the worst case of child abuse he's ever seen
updated 51M ago 
King the wire fox terrier wins Westminster Dog Show
King beat out 2,800 competitors who represented 203 breeds and varieties in the two-day event
6H ago 
Former DHS chief: No security crisis near southern border
On "Intelligence Matters" this week, former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson tells host Michael Morell there's too much fear-mongering in today's political discourse
updated 11M ago
Transcript: Michael Rogers on "Intelligence Matters"
The former DHS chief says there’s no security crisis near the southern border
updated 11M ago 
Fairfax accuser Vanessa Tyson speaks at #MeToo-related event
Tyson, an associate professor at Scripps College, was expected to attend before her accusations against Virginia Lt. Gov. became public
8H ago
Intelligence Matters: A CBS News original national security podcast
"Intelligence Matters" is a weekly podcast about national security and policy hosted by CBS News senior national security contributor Michael Morell
9H ago
Transcript: Vicki Huddleston on "Intelligence Matters"
Venezuela showdown could lead to U.S. confrontation with Cuba, says former top U.S. diplomat
9H ago 
Venezuelan opposition sets date for showdown with Maduro's forces
"Allow in the humanitarian aid. That's an order," U.S.-backed Juan Guaidó tells military, announcing date for aid caravans to challenge blocked border
updated 13M ago 
Instagram kills account depicting abuse of gay Muslims in Indonesia
The account was removed for being "pornographic" following widespread "moral" outrage
1H ago
Transcript: Vicki Huddleston on "Intelligence Matters"
Venezuela showdown could lead to U.S. confrontation with Cuba, says former top U.S. diplomat
9H ago 
George Clooney defends Meghan Markle after treatment by press
"I believe she cried more to do with the press intrusion than anything else in her life," Prince William has said about their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales
9H ago 
21 Savage granted release on bond from ICE custody, lawyers say
The Atlanta-based rapper was arrested by ICE on Feb. 3
11H ago 
George Clooney defends Meghan Markle after treatment by press
"I believe she cried more to do with the press intrusion than anything else in her life," Prince William has said about their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales
9H ago
21 Savage granted release on bond from ICE custody, lawyers say
The Atlanta-based rapper was arrested by ICE on Feb. 3
11H ago 
Police use pepper balls to disperse Travis Scott fans
"Astroworld" was not the fantasyland fans hoped it would be
18H ago 
The 2019 Grammy Awards: Winners and highlights
Female performers dominated the 61st Annual Grammy Awards
Feb 11 
Alicia Keys shares story about John Mayer splitting his Grammy award with her 15 years ago
Mayer surprised Keys with the same award he split with her in 2004 — after he felt she deserved the trophy, too
Feb 11 
Tesla self-driving car gets confused and crashes on highway
"The driver was shaken. He was panicked by the accident," police said
8H ago 
Senator calls for Google, Apple to drop Saudi app that monitors women
Oregon's Ron Wyden says U.S. tech companies shouldn't facilitate "abhorrent surveillance and control of women"
14H ago 
Russian region declares emergency over polar bear "invasion"
It is illegal to hunt the species, already endangered thanks to climate change shrinking their habitat, but a cull has not been ruled out
Feb 11 
Crew hunts for fabled U.S. carrier in a graveyard for WWII ships
The explorers who located the wreck of the USS Indianapolis are searching for an aircraft carrier sunk by the Japanese 77 years ago
Feb 11 
Hurricanes are intensifying more rapidly and it may be our fault
Storms that quickly strengthen are often the most challenging to predict, and they can cause more damage
Feb 10 
How to confront rising anxiety among young girls
Psychologist Lisa Damour offers practical advise on how adults can help address the "unique pressures" girls face
updated 7M ago 
Teen defies mom, gets vaccinated after turning to strangers online
"I question her judgment, but not her care," says Ethan Lindenberger of his mother
22H ago 
FDA announces crackdown on illegal dietary supplements
In one case, the FDA found a company claimed its product reduced "symptoms of cognitive decline"
Feb 11 
Medicare patients face surging costs for some life-saving drugs
Participants in the federal health program often struggle to afford treatments for cancer and other diseases
Feb 11 
CBD fans want edibles, but some states are cracking down
States are cracking down on cannabidiol-infused food over safety concerns — some in the industry say it's warranted
Feb 11 
Katy Perry accused of evoking blackface imagery in shoe designs
Reactions to the shoes, released last summer, are a measure of the charge around imagery perceived as racist today
9H ago 
Toys R Us plots a 2nd act with new look, new name
Richard Barry started his career at the toy seller pushing shopping carts — now he's planning its comeback
11H ago 
Paul Volcker calls out Trump on trade and taxes
The former Federal Reserve chair laments the president's approach as divisive, "all threats and demands"
11H ago 
REI CEO leaves over an undisclosed relationship
Jerry Stritzke is resigning after violating the outdoor retailer's policy regarding conflicts of interest
7H ago 
National debt tops $22 trillion for first time in U.S. history
The debt has ballooned by more than $2 trillion in the two years since President Trump took office
12H ago 
2 kids found in dog cages, 2 more covered in waste in barn
All appeared malnourished; the local sheriff near Rhome, Texas, outside Dallas, called it the worst case of child abuse he's ever seen
updated 51M ago 
NYPD officer killed by apparent friendly fire
Police recovered an imitation firearm at the scene
6H ago 
4 former firefighters charged for "racist, lewd" prank
Lt. Robert Webster discovered a hangman's noose during his shift; there were also sexual images drawn on his family photos
3H ago 
The craziest details from the "El Chapo" trial
Shooting bazookas, burying a rival alive, a naked escape — just to name a few of the twisted revelations
11H ago 
Porch pirate steals boy's cancer meds
The teen has been battling the disease since he was six months old, and in a matter of minutes, his cancer fight got harder
12H ago Original Article
