Native Americans and Border Security – Reinforcement from Our Oldest Residents

There are a few issues that are bound to surface in discussions around the state of the U.S. – the economy, healthcare, foreign policy, and, not the least, border security. Consider that the fringes of this nation border Mexico and Canada for a total of nearly 7,500 miles according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and that the U.S. is home to 11.7 million undocumented immigrants out of a total population of 42 million, according to an article on Forbes. Then consider that an estimated 150,000 minors, as cited in a Government Executive feature, are expected to cross the border in 2015. It’s clear that the issue deserves the full attention of government agencies.

There are many ways to enhance border security that extend beyond additional funding, and in my recent article featured in The Hill, I explore one in particular – working with the Native Americans. There are dozens of Native American tribal reservations located on or near the U.S. borders, and their members can provide a natural reinforcement in deterring the smooth passage of drug smugglers and illegal immigrants.

In my piece, I explore ways that Native Americans have already contributed to securing our nation’s borders, as well as opportunities for further collaboration. Take a look for yourself!