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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More money to spend, huh?
Change you can count on. Hope this isn't just a sham.
Obama is implementing John McCain's idea, yet McCain is still not satisfied. I can you can't please everybody.
McCain isn't satisfied because he asked for more troops.
I would bet $1M dollars that Obama doesn't follow thru with this. it's just a political stunt to get some good press so he can "preach" that he's doing something about the border problem. He won't follow thru with it, because he doesn't care if Mexicans are coming here illegally. Those are votes for him that he wants in this country and will be pushing for amnesty. It's like his campaign promise to close down Guatanamo Bay...he knew fully that would never happen, but said he would use his presidential power to close it...well, guess what...it was just unanimously voted to not be closed down because they don't want to put those prisoners in ANY American prison. This administration is a joke.
Furthermore, has anyone heard anything in the press about the Financial reform??? everything in the press is about Arizona Law and the Oil Spill, this is on purpose. The administration doesn't want the Financial reform to be in the spotlight because of all the damage it will ultimately do to this country's economy and free capitalism. Again...a joke!!!
Paul, it is not just Obama. It is both Dem and Republicans. They are well known for coming up with all these declaration and new laws but then secretly fail to fund the programs. You see that way they get the great PR for writing all these bills but 12 months down the road, they throw up roadblocks by not funding it.
That is why, for me, no immigration reform or "pathway tp citizenship" no amnesty till they can show proof that we have effective secure borders and way to check on who is here legally. W
Yeah we wont give you jobs. You're a moron. Last time I checked the guy with the top job in the USA is BLACK.
Our sothern border is a great place to train our armed forces. They can have a dual role in training and border protection. It is, indeed about time. I grew up in Imperial Beach/San Diego CA and there wasnt a day I can remember 10 or so illegals running down the street. Illegal immigration is out of hand. Secure the border and stop ithe flow. Then get to work on legalizing immegrents that have something to offer the US, and getting rd of the criminals and deadbeats.
You people just love to complain . This is bad, this is late , this is BS ... blah , blah , blah! What YOU have done to improve America situation , to change your lives ???
This is just a band-aid to a gushing wound....to keep the Americans contempt.
Sorry to bust your bubble. Why are all the White Trash celebrating a war already lost? We who are "so called" citizens here will continue to fight from the inside of our territory. Like it or not! We are here already and will continue to be! If you want a civil war. I guarantee you you will not go far! Meth trash!
I'm more then happy to match Mexico with how they treat Guatamalans. Charge em with a Felony send em to jail and then off to where you once belonged! I think thats fair. We all need to realize that Mexico is in the same boat as us with a poor country to the south were people just want a better life and they have no problem sending them home.
Plus Mexico has the most natural resources in the world! If the Chinese and Mexicans switched 500 years ago we'd be saying "hail CHINA" right now. Sorry no love from me when theres no excuse
I say we pay each guardmen by the head! Round em' up! Ship em' out!
NO AMNESTY
ENFORCE CURRENT LAWS!
Tabitha – go back to Fixed News Network – there you will get something worthy of your vast intellect lol
The sooner we understand this and AZ's immigration law will not work, the better off we'll be! Alright teabaggers – shut up now!
Just like white trash elect an African-American as president and there's the green light to discriminate. You idiot.....he's the 44th and before him blacks were still not working. LOL
And they still aren't. Instead they are waiting for more handouts now that they think the President is on their side.
If Me and the rest of my soldiers are deployed to the border and get attacked by a drug cartel. I will make sure to brief them not to punch him or anything. I would not want myself or my soldiers to be court martialed for punching a criminal like the Navy Seal did
.
Round em up and send em back! You know what to do.The people that say this is a black eye for America need to visit the border more often and maybe theyll stop being so soft to people that want to ruin our youth with METH!