Critics are blasting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's vow to gain control of the border and Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter's border security plan both rolled out this week. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.
Wayne Cornelius who heads UCSD's Center for Comparative Immigration Studies says both border plans are politically opportunistic. He says President Bush is in a politically weakened position and the White House desperately wants to change the subject to rebuild some political capital. He says Congressman Hunter has picked up on that desperation.
Cornelius: "The extreme nature of the Congressman's proposal suggests that he senses blood in the water. The actually creates opportunities for members of Congress like Duncan Hunter to push their more extreme proposals."
Among other things, Hunter's legislation calls for fencing off the entire 2,000- mile Mexican border in the next 18 months.
Chertoff's plan essentially repackages existing border enforcement programs. Amy Isackson, KPBS news.
