The most important element of any national security strategy is border security. Borders are one of the primary ways we are distinguished as a nation. A border is solemn. It is not an abstract notion; not something to be held as inconsequential or violated any time a foreigner chooses to do so. On June 10th, 2007, while Congress was ratcheting up the rhetoric to try and convince the American people it was serious about border security, I personally witnessed my borders being repeatedly violated by foreign nationals coming ashore undetected by law enforcement or military personnel. This time, the violators were probably the harmless crew of a foreign cargo vessel. Next time they could be al Qaeda-linked terrorists.






