There is little disagreement that a wave of potential threats is riding the current flood of illegal immigrants into the United States. Currently, Border Patrol and ICE agents are woefully understaffed and under resourced to adequately screen incoming immigrants for criminal backgrounds and health issues potentially compromising public safety and health. Additionally, both in border states and in those states where the illegal immigrants are being bussed, local law enforcement resources are being overwhelmed.
It is well documented that along with those illegal entrants that are truly seeking a better life by residing in the United States, unchecked immigration is being used as ready entry into the United States by drug traffickers, cartel members, human smugglers, and potential terrorists backed by nations and groups hostile to US interests such as the Communist Chinese Party (CCP) and Islamic extremists such as Iran.
“We know that the Permian Basin is a prime area for both drug and human smuggling. Due to our proximity to the border and our vast transportation infrastructure Odessa makes an ideal interchange point for these criminal activities – activities that are directly tied to the cartels.” stated Ector County Republican Party Chair Tisha Crow. “In addition, we know that our area is on the terrorists’ list due to our world leading energy production capabilities. Take out or cripple our ability to produce and ship oil and gas and the entire national economy would be crippled.”
It was the need for better training to understand and identify the potential threats to our community that the Ector County Republican Party recently contracted two experts to train local party leaders. In November, two days of training were provided by a former military intelligence officer and a former FBI agent who developed the FBI’s internal training program to recognize and identify potential terror threats in a community.
“The names of our trainers are being withheld because of constant threats against them from terror groups and groups such as ANTIFA who obviously don’t like them training locals like us on what to be on the lookout for in our own communities.” stated Crow.
During the two days of training the overall structure of terror groups in the United States was exposed to the participants and the ties between seemingly innocuous groups to know terrorist groups were revealed and discussed.
“It was frightening to have these experts show us how these groups – many of which are in active operation in our state – are being used to influence local, state, and national politics and to undermine our national security. After the training our group is much better prepared to be on the watch for those in our own community who may mean harm to our citizens.” Crow concluded.