In the last generation we’ve moved past a U.S.-Mexico relationship that while friendly on the surface, and demilitarized for the most part, really was not a genuinely cooperative relationship.
ALAN BERSINMigrants come up and no longer seek to evade the Border Patrol, but are actually left at the border by their smugglers.
More Alan Bersin Quotes
-
-
We can’t defend the country by looking at the borderline as the first line of defense rather than as the last line of defense.
ALAN BERSIN -
In large part this is because of the success of policies followed by the United States to create an environment, a peaceful period in history in which economies could grow and countries could benefit.
ALAN BERSIN -
We have to remember that information sharing is restricted by legal barriers and cultural barriers and by the notion that information is power and therefore should be hoarded so if you share information you can extract something in exchange.
ALAN BERSIN -
Until we have a legitimate labor market between Mexico and the United States, people will attempt to come here to work.
ALAN BERSIN -
As a result of the U.S.-Mexico War in the 19th century, and the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, half of what was Mexico was severed and became much of the western part of the United States.
ALAN BERSIN -
We have a combined population of half a billion people; peaceful trade-friendly borders that are the envy of the world.
ALAN BERSIN -
People should remember that Mexican migration is now at a net negative.
ALAN BERSIN -
We must recognize that this massive economic bloc that’s emerging in North America cannot be accomplished unilaterally. It must be accomplished in partnership with Mexico and Canada.
ALAN BERSIN -
Walls and barriers alone are insufficient to insure security.
ALAN BERSIN -
We must rely on our allies and foreign governments to share information and data to secure our country.
ALAN BERSIN -
There have been enormous advances since 9/11 to build a very robust set of targeting procedures and watch lists to screen travelers coming to the United States.
ALAN BERSIN -
And there are places on the border, such as the Arizona desert or the open terrain around the Big Bend in South Texas, where Mother Nature has created her own barrier that is not easily passable. Or if you do pass through it, you are easily detected.
ALAN BERSIN -
You need a strategy that involves layered defense: deployed patrols, sophisticated sensor equipment, and surveillance from the air. That is what has had a positive impact over the last generation.
ALAN BERSIN -
To add insult to injury, most Americans never knew that, and most Mexicans have never forgotten it.
ALAN BERSIN -
Not only are the numbers of migrants entering the United States at the lowest levels in a generation, but they are now largely Central American.
ALAN BERSIN






