Opinion | Trump’s military orders could lead to a DMZ in North America

The article provides a complaint without a solution--typical for an uninformed liberal! Nothing new for WAPO. IMO the US is being invaded. People crossing the Southern Border present a clear and present danger to US citizens. It is a lightly armed force entering the US. Along with the more-or-less innocent people from Central and South America, come illicit drugs, criminals, and potential terrorists. Their intent is to violate US law and territory, import illicit drugs, steal taxpayer money through benefit claims, and possibly commit acts of terrorism and other crimes. The illegal aliens are subject to all manner of human trafficking and sexual abuse. This creates a humanitarian crisis.

The US knows how to secure a border. There have been many examples in contemporary life and recent history. Israel uses a combination of physical barriers, law enforcement, and military forces. Their enemy is more violent and better armed than ours and their rules of engagement are different--they can shoot people trying to invade their country. East Berlin had an effective border control system. They used physical barriers and well trained Border Guards--a paramilitary force. Their rules of engagement also authorized the use of deadly force, but it was used to keep people from leaving East Germany. We can learn from these examples and others. Technology such as sensors and drones can improve the detection of illegal crossings and reduce the manpower necessary to patrol the border and adjacent lands. That's good. We still need the personnel to catch and hold the illegal aliens. The current plan to use military forces as combat support and combat service support for the Border Patrol and ICE is good, but may not free up all the manpower necessary to secure the border entirely.

I think we need a "Militarized Zone" along the Southern Border several miles wide. In this zone, Active duty Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Force security and law enforcement units assist Border Patrol with enforcing US Law because local law enforcement are not willing or not fully capable in doing so. This action should pass the "Little Rock" test in court if necessary. Physical barriers and technology should be used to make the job easier and safer for the military members and Border Patrol. The probability of an illegal alien being apprehended in the zone needs to be near 100%. Then subsequent deportation within 48 hours needs to be near 100% also.

I think it is justified. We have had Mexican Army incursions to protect drug traffickers, we have had our border patrol officers fired on from Mexico, we have areas of the border that are dangerous and have been restrict because of drug and human trafficking and people who own property and earn a living ranching and farming harassed by illegals, coyotes (guides for illegals and drug smugglers. For many Americans portions of the border are DMZ’s .

Past president's have done it. If congress would fix the problem this type of action would not be necessary.