GOP wants more security than Border Bill provides

Also, Richardson said the Mexican drug cartels have steadily been establishing close relationships with various criminal organizations within the United States.

“There are links between the drug trafficking organizations and the Mexican mafia,” he said. “We now see the relationship between organized crime in Mexico and organized crime in the United States.”

Former El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) director Phil Jordan told The Daily Caller he thinks Washington needs to make a concerted, full-scale effort to attack drug cartels.

“Our focus should not change from organized crime to going after illegal bus boys and maids,” Jordan said. “Yes, they are illegal, but the priority should be going after organized crimes.”

Richardson agrees, adding that illegal immigration and drug trafficking is a problem that has spread beyond the border.

“We’re reaching for the low-hanging fruit,” Richardson said. “I think we might feel the effects of these [drug cartel] organizations on our daily lives if we fail.”

SENATE PASSES BORDER BILL