Heidi Heitkamp

Deporting people home may, in fact, mean sending one of the worst perpetrators, who now has the ability to extort any number of additional people, home to achieve a criminal result right here in the United States.

When we make mistakes here, in terms of national policy and national cooperation as well as the utilization of the resources we have in this country--when we do not do our job internationally, you guys are going to continue to be stressed…

I think my point would be, then we are just treating symptoms, because we are not going to get ahead of this unless we work collaboratively.

It is going to be really hard to convince that kid not to join a gang... if they think that their parents... are at risk back home in El Salvador.

We cannot solve this problem without thinking about stabilizing the Triangle countries--especially the country of El Salvador.

The biggest problem I see is extortion.

I do not think there is any doubt that MS-13 has become a cancer in our society and that it is metastasizing in every community.

I think you know almost better than anyone else who serves in this Administration how horrific the conditions are.

I think it is critically important that everyone be represented, whether it is NGO's, whether it is immigration groups, whether it is advocacy groups.

The rate of murder and mayhem is unparalleled throughout the world, which is really saying something.

I am deeply concerned about personnel issues on the Northern border and hope that whatever you are looking at in that study includes securing enough personnel to do the job and to meet the challenges.

Obviously, the law that was passed requires that you meet a June deadline for telling us what the threats are and how you are going to secure the Northern border.

This is insane, this is crazy.

The jurisdictional issues that we have, trying to tackle that, are absolutely horrible.

We see a lot of trafficking on and off of the reservation.

I know their level of frustration.

I am concerned that, with the lack of Federal resources, it takes that great collaboration and pulls it apart.

But, it is DHS's position that most of the contraband--especially heroin and methamphetamines--are actually coming through the ports of entry (POEs).

I think it is clear--and the ability to collaborate, with those resources, is so critical.

The criminal element is pouring across the border, because there is a market for what they are selling here.

It is harder and harder to find Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) money.

And, we are not going to forget yours--and we are not going to forget your story and we are going to get to the bottom of this.

I was really pleased when you gave us a shout-out in your testimony.

I think that Congress takes its oversight responsibility as seriously as it should.

I am really excited about the opportunity to work with you and make sure it is implemented.