Democrats dismiss border officials' security pleas: 'You have no feelings, no compassion'

Smuggling cartels are poised to make $2.5 billion off trafficking in illegal immigrants this year, top border officials told Congress on Wednesday, as they pleaded with lawmakers to make the changes needed to discourage families from making the dangerous journey north.

Kevin K. McAleenan, commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, said cartels are “profiting tremendously” off the misery of migrants, who pay $5,000 or more per person to wait in stash houses, then are guided across the border and driven into the U.S. interior.

Across the Capitol, Homeland Security Secretary...