If we had no illegal immigrant problem, 9-11 events would still demand we secure our borders, but we do. The hundreds of thousands of illegal entrants is simply proof we've not take security threats seriously.
Our open border is fine, but don't you dare bring your Bic or Cricket disposable lighter to the airport with you. That will endanger our security. What a joke.
The surveillance state will continue along as the National ID--er, Real ID act is passed into law. We'll now have a National ID card (Federally-standardized Drivers License), but the terrorists will keep a-comin' across the border.