North Dakota Senator Conrad, others, warn about dangers of taking resources from northern U.S. border

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Kent Conrad led a bipartisan group of Senators today in warning Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano about the dangers of boosting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations along the southern border with Mexico by taking border patrol agents or critical assets, like Predator B unmanned aircraft, away from the northern border.

"Any chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and the border security of the United States is no exception. Our northern border should not be a weak link in our homeland defense," the senators write in their letter to Napolitano. "We need to make sure that both of America’s borders are secure, not just the southern one."

While the Senators strongly support CBP and its mission to stop illegal immigration along the southern border, they note that it is not its only responsibility. Many threats, including smuggling of drugs and controlled goods, and even terrorism, come from the north. Even as efforts are made to heighten security on the southern border, it is important for DHS to recognize that limited assets like the two Predator aircraft operating out of Grand Forks are essential to northern border security.

"While it may be politically expedient, it would be reckless to weaken our northern border security in response to the need for more assets in the south. A strong CBP presence along the northern border is essential to our border security and must be maintained," the senators said.

Those joining Senator Conrad in writing the letter to Napolitano are Senators Baucus, Levin, Dorgan, Murray, Snowe, Crapo, Stabenow, Cantwell, Sanders, Tester, and Risch.

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