Mexican Drug Kingpin is ‘Public Enemy No. 1’

Anyone who still thinks Texas and other southern border states are crying wolf when pleading for additional border security may be interested to know Mexican drug cartel kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has been named Chicago’s “Public Enemy No. 1.”


Yes, Chicago – as in Chicago, Illinois. The nation’s third-largest city and some 1,400 miles away from the Mexican border. The same city that is home to President Obama and an escalating homicide rate that counted more than 500 murders last year. Coincidence? I doubt it.

Perhaps more telling is the fact that “Public Enemy No. 1” was the distinction first – and last -- held by notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone during the days of Prohibition. The Chicago Crime Commission has not used the label since. That is, until today. In fact, according to this news report, the DEA claims Guzman is actually more dangerous than Capone. Cause for concern? It should be.

If you’re asking yourself how a ruthless criminal hiding in Mexico can be Chicago’s “Public Enemy No. 1,” allow me to shed some light. The U.S. border with Mexico stretches 1,969 miles, yet according to the General Accountability Office, only 44 percent of that entire border is under operational control. In other words, our porous border is an open invitation to thugs like Guzman and his merciless henchmen.

Washington has been patting itself on the back of late by propping up statistics showing an increase in border protection resources over the past few years. Just because 10 agents is more than nine doesn’t mean 10 is enough. Closing a door halfway does not allow it to be locked.

While I am eternally grateful to the federal, state and local men and women who risk their lives to protect our border and citizens, I cannot rest easy knowing Washington deprives them of maximum backup and fortification. I also find it deplorable that our border region citizens are subjected to these heavily armed narco-terrorists who brazenly trespass and threaten violence while trafficking drugs and humans across our border and deep into Middle America.

And while Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano tours the southern states proclaiming our border is more protected than ever, USAToday tells us January was the deadliest month Chicago has seen in a decade.

So what’s the president’s solution to the rising crime rates in his hometown? Take away self-defense abilities from law-abiding citizens by restricting gun ownership. I’ve got news for the president – criminals don’t obey laws.

When Chicago’s most dangerous criminal is a known Mexican drug cartel kingpin, it should be impossible to pretend our porous border has nothing to do with the skyrocketing murder rates taking place in our president’s hometown.

Are we crying wolf in the southern states? Not when real tears are being shed as far away as Chicago.