Immigrants in surge ‘not dangerous individuals,’ Border Patrol chief says

Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske said in an interview broadcast Sunday that the Central American migrants surging across the border from Mexico are “not dangerous individuals.”

“These are family members, these are not gang members, these are not dangerous individuals,” Kerlikowske said in the interview, broadcast on ABC’s “This Week.”

“I think that we all need to work through this problem together as Americans,” he added.

{mosads}Kerlikowske said he was “confident that we have the resources” to handle the increase, noting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson has just deployed an additional 150 agents to the Rio Grande Valley in addition to the 115 agents who were already moving in.

“These agents have gone well beyond the call of duty, taking care of these kids, treating them with true compassion, with true heartfelt sympathy,” he added.

Texas Governor Rick Perry (R), appearing on the same program, rejected Kerlikowske’s comment that officials were confident they have enough resources.

“He is absolutely and totally wrong,” Perry said.

Perry said the Obama administration is either “inept” or doesn’t care about the influx of unaccompanied minors at the border with Mexico.