Napolitano To Name Border Czar

Former Justice Department Official Alan Bersin To Oversee Issues Related To Drug Cartel Violence

(CBS/AP)  A former Justice Department official has been chosen as the top U.S. official along the southwest border with Mexico. It is a new Homeland Security post to oversee issues related to drug-cartel violence along the border.

A government official confirmed to CBS News that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is expected to name Alan Bersin to the position on Wednesday during a visit to the U.S.-Mexican border.

The Obama administration has promised to crack down on border violence and work with Mexican authorities to curb drugs and arms trafficking.

President Barack Obama travels to Mexico this week to meet with Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

Napolitano, who is making her second border trip in two weeks, will be discussing the agency's efforts to curb the flow of illegal immigrants, guns and drugs along the border.

The Obama administration has promised to crack down on border violence and work with Mexican authorities against drug cartels. Hundreds of federal agents, equipped with high-tech surveillance gear and drug-sniffing dogs, are being deployed to the Southwest.

In his new capacity, Bersin will work with international officials and their counterparts in the U.S. agencies and border states.

Bersin held a similar position at the Justice Department during the Clinton administration when he was responsible for coordinating law enforcement on the U.S.-Mexican border. During his time as "border czar," he oversaw anti-drug and human trafficking problems.

The Justice Department would not respond to an inquiry about when and why that position was eliminated. The Immigration and Naturalization Service, once part of the Justice Department, was dismantled and rolled into new agencies in the Homeland Security Department. The 2001 terrorist attacks spurred the creation of the new department, which launched in 2003.

From 1993 to 1998, Bersin was the federal prosecutor who led the government's crackdown on illegal immigrants at the California-Mexico border. Bersin and Napolitano were both U.S. attorneys during the administration of President Bill Clinton.

He also served under California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as secretary of education.

[mjvwsr]

"Napolitano To Name Border Czar"

Is this guy going to coordinate building bridges or welcome stations? After all, if you support enforcing immigration laws you're a right winger according to DHS.

[TheMasses01]

Napolitano To Name Border Czar



`1 month later`




Napolitano To Blame Border Czar

[jackp32]

Another incompetent hack set to join the staff and collect his political payoff from the Homeland Security Nazis. Can you imagine our gov't dissing Veterans who risked their lives in war and are now grouped in the same category as Muslum terrorists? What the h*ell are we becoming?

[TheMasses01]

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano --
The Obama Nazi.. Head of the New American Gestapo.

After her note claiming many middle road American and Military vets extremists she should be forced to resign along with her other hench men and woman.
Posted by papabc
---------------------------------------------
Homeland Security and this "leader" of it are all that is wrong with America today. Evil, Communistic cancers - this whole administration.

[geminispyder-2009]

"From 1993 to 1998, Bersin was the federal prosecutor who led the government's crackdown on illegal immigrants at the California-Mexico border."

Anything involving "czar" and the Federal government is destined for failure. I lived about 10 mins from the border at that time, and to this day, I can go specific public areas (parks, gas stations, etc.) and see dozens and dozens of illegal immigrants standing around waiting to be picked up for their next job.

Crackdown?? That's funny. What crackdown??
The only thing funnier than the federal government's ineptitude at dealing with a three-decade old problem like illegal immigration problem in California is that there are too many stupid Americans that didn't realize the gravity of this problem until CNN and other news agencies started to talk about it-- in 2005.

Because the federal government's only major response was to stick a 5-mile fence along the San Diego-Tijuana border, which did absolutely nothing by the way, California's 30-year-old problem is now America's new reality.

As a California-native, I do not feel the least bit sorry for the rest of America for dealing with the reality of a problem that border states have dealt with, and the rest of America has ignored, for 30-years.

[iloveusa2]

Everytime I hear the word "Czar" I instantly think of communism and dictatorship. This is not a term that should be used in the United States of America. This President is doing everything he can to destroy the GREAT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Everyone he has surrounded himself with has trust issues - from IRS to paying for senate seats to pork projects - not even counting the degrading statements he has made regarding our Country and apologizing for everything being our fault. When will the people wake up and realize how much damage this man is doing to our Great Country????????The only arrogance comes from our "so called" President.

[johnb8888]

"Not one mention of the Tea Parties going on all over the country. The American press has become a joke. The only good press is the press the New era of democ-rats want removed in the name of "fair".

You Libs are all nuts and you don't even know it.
Posted by Cxa44 "



Your pathetic little "protests" have been pushed hard by *** Nooze, and what?--a few dozen people show up.

Right Wing extremists got an a$$-whuppin in the last election, and they're bitter.

Suck it up, righties!

[credibility2]

I'd question this woman's mental stability. Refer to her latest paranoia against those on the right and their embracing their freedoms. http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/14/
federal-agency-warns-of-radicals-on-right
She infers that our returning troops are to be under suspicion. Her timing of this paranoia lunacy on the heels of right-thinking citizens who want to demonstrate against oppressive taxation, via the peaceful assembly of TEA Parties, is reprehensible. We need to fear Ms. Napolitano and anything she utters from her mouth or places on paper from pen.

[honestabe8]

I see that enjoylife63 has not gotten rid of that persistent diarrhea-of-the-mouth. Communist dicator? I do not agree with Obama on most things, but to call him a communist dictator is beyond stupid.

[Cxa44]

Not one mention of the Tea Parties going on all over the country. The American press has become a joke. The only good press is the press the New era of democ-rats want removed in the name of "fair".

You Libs are all nuts and you don't even know it.

[stn_sage]

I previously stated that I thought this was a poor appointment, but I offered no alternative nominee for the post. I am now prepared to make just such a recommendation!

I don't know if you could get either person to serve in the capacity as Border Head, but I
recommend either former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura, or martial arts expert
Chuck Norris. I think both could be counted on to use good judgment, not get side-tracked by Washington bureaucrats, employ a measure of common sense, and act expeditiously!

And, I know I trust either of these two men, a heckuva lot more than the man currently nominated!

How about it? Are either of you even vaguely interested?

[honestabe8]

tincup: those that make money on prohibition would have a hissy fit. do you think that anheuser-busch wants to compete with home grown pot?

[stn_sage]

It would seem to me that you would want to appoint someone whose name the public would readily recognize and whose experience would inspire the publics' trust!

As a member of the Council of Foreign Relations, he is obligated to the destruction of
national sovereignty, the abolish of Americans' rights under the law, and implementation of the North American Union, which the public has neither voted for nor approved!

So tell me---will he be acting to stop drug and gun-running, or trying to increase it?!

I think this is a poor appointment.

[ppassit]

I feel safe now, thought the name was familar: Bersin was a San Diego as a school superintendent, did a horrible job. He was a failure as a federal judge assigned by Clinton. These nominations the dems put forward just keep coming out of the mud pool. I wonder if he paid his taxes?.

[ppassit]

There is an entire Military Command : US NORTHERN COMMAND charged with defending the United States. Mexico just happens to be their responsibility. Why not empower our Military to take charge of this problem. Just like the pirates, take the gloves off and get the rookies at DHS and State department out of the way....

[wdh3007]

Legalizing illegal drugs would be a crime in it's self and make those who use and deal even more ruthless. Forget naming a drug czar I say charge Mexico one barrel of oil for every illegal that crosses the border into the U.S. and impose automatic death penality sentences for any drug trafficker caught on the U.S side of the border.

[tincup356]

repeal the prohibition of marijuana and the violence would be stopped,,,,,continuing the war on drugs is a waste,,,,,,,legalization would create millions of jobs and billions in revenues,,,,,prison space and court dockets would be eased,,,freeing up manpower to go after crimes with real victims...like corporate and investment fraud,,,,,states could save money by not spending 40k per year per inmate,,,,last year over 800,000 were jailed on marijuana charges,,,taking non violent people out of the economy and making them a burden on it. Legalization could help out every state,,,family farms could once again prosper with a cash crop that could be grown in every state.......................We don't need a border czar,,,,,,,all the problems could be solved with the stroke of a pen, legalizing marijuana.