President Barack Obama will deploy up to 1,200 more National Guard troops to the U.S. border with Mexico, an administration official told CNN on Tuesday.
In addition, Obama will request $500 million in supplemental funds to current spending for enhanced border protection and law enforcement activities, the official said.
The National Guard troops will help with drug enforcement efforts and intelligence efforts until Customs and Border Patrol can recruit and train additional officers and agents to serve on the border, the official said.
The news followed Obama's lunch meeting with Senate Republicans, where Sen. John McCain of Arizona raised the issue of increased border security. McCain and fellow Arizona Republican Sen. Jon Kyl, as well as Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, have called for Obama to send more troops to the border region.
"It's simply not enough," McCain said Tuesday on the Senate floor. He called for 3,000 more National Guard troops just for the Arizona-Mexico border.
Giffords, who had called for the National Guard's deployment immediately after the March 27 murder of Cochise County rancher Rob Krentz, said Obama's step was "the right thing."
"Arizonans know that more boots on the ground means a safer and more secure border," Giffords said in a written statement. "Washington heard our message."
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One Word. NUKE....
janet- *what the
*would
*restaurant- tough one!
*think
*everything
*disappointed
THANK GOD!!! IT'S ABOUT TIME!!
Wouldn't it be easier if the "illegals" would just get in their own governments face and demand they straighten out their countries problems??? Oh, wait... they would be shot on site for such actions....
The problem of illegal immigration is much more subservient than many of you who live a cherry life of social sites and tech-tainment, green car worlds think it is. I think the criminal, abuse element that's coming needs a heavy hand.
Start with 1200 and then place bases all along the border, lots of open space there to do military exercises.
Years ago when people came to this country it was to make a better life fortheir family. That is the same thing now with the Mexicans. Can any of you say you would not do what you could if your family was hungry or needing the necessities of life? Do it legally you say? The media never mentions how much the government charges to do it legally. Do you all think those here illegally enjoy living in fear and being ostricized? And for those who are blaming crime only on the Hispanic population, I see quite an ethnic mixture in jails. Walk in someone elses shoes before you judge.
Don't start a family if you can't afford to feed them ....
why doesnt the gov secure the northern border....oh cuz the illegals coming from canada are white. oops my bad
To be fair, there are way, way less of them, and there isn't a massive extremely deadly Drug Cartel operating through the Canadian border.
But I understand your sentiments.
No, because Canadians don't slither across our borders to avail themselves of the education and health care intended for OUR citizens.
They will be sent there to curb the violence. They will convoy select drug runners over the border. That was the whole purpose of the Mexican president's visit.
About f-cking time!! Though I still think it is not enough...
"It's simply not enough," McCain said Tuesday on the Senate floor."
My God, will nothing appease Conservative whining?
McCain is a fool.. 3000 guards alone for Arizona? See my math below.. that translates to about 2 guards for every mile even assuming only half on duty at a time! Talk about complete waste of manpower!
I have ONE question for everyone whining to let any any who wants cross over the southern borders:
How hard do you think it is for Al Queda operatives to get into Mexico?
It's great to be nice, but stupid to be naive.
This is a racist order. Obama hates the brown people and wants to keep them out of the country. Obama must be boycotted. The UN has stated it is a basic human right to cross borders. Obama is going against the UN. What will the Europeans say? Now they will hate us more. This is a misguided action. What is Felipe Calderon going to say? The Horror!
Ignorance is bliss!!!!
Wonder if that means they are going to through out that bill now that washington heard them....
Interesting......
Drop in the bucket, but a positive step in the right direction. We want to replace our porous border with a secure one!