National Guard Troops Deploying to U.S.-Mexico Border August 1st

Vehicle traffic crosses from the U.S. into Mexico at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego Sunday, April, 26, 2009.

/ AP Photo/Denis Poroy

Updated 6:12 p.m. Eastern Time

The Obama administration announced Monday that National Guard troops will begin to be deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border on August 1st "as part of the administration's unprecedented efforts to combat the transnational criminal organizations that smuggle weapons, cash and people" on the border.

President Obama said in May that up to 1,200 National Guard troops would be deployed to the border to provide support in the fight against illegal immigration and criminal activity along the border.

According to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense, the largest chunk of National Guard troops - 524 - are being deployed to Arizona, which has become the focus of the debate over immigration thanks to its controversial immigration law.

Federal officials said California and Texas are getting more than 200 troops each, while 72 are being deployed in New Mexico and 130 are "serving as command and control and other support."

The Obama administration says the troops will be in place for a year. They "will provide direct support to federal law enforcement officers and agents working in high-risk areas to disrupt criminal organizations seeking to move people and goods illegally across the Southwest border," according to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

According to the Associated Press, the troops will be fully deployed by September.

In addition to deploying the National Guard troops, Mr. Obama has requested $600 million in supplemental funds for enhanced border protection and law enforcement activities.

Gunmen killed 17 people at a party in northern Mexico yesterday in an apparent instance of drug-related violence. In the United States over the past decade, violence in border towns has been essentially flat despite suggestions violence has been on the rise.

Many Republicans say the border must be secured before the federal government moves forward with immigration reform efforts. Mr. Obama argues the southern border is "more secure today than at any time in 20 years," though he says there is still more to do.

"This is the kind of action we want from the Administration - not suing the state," Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona said in response to the news. "However, we should continue to move forward with a much larger commitment of National Guard troops right away and with an expansion of the Border Patrol to strengthen security for the long run."

The White House says Mr. Obama's immigration reform plan includes "lasting and dedicated resources by which to secure our borders and make our communities safer; holding unscrupulous employers accountable who hire workers illegally and exploit them and providing clear guidance for the many employers who want to play by the rules; and requiring those who have come here illegally to pay a fine, pay back taxes, learn English, and get right with the law."

More: Neo-Nazi Group Patrolling Ariz. Border

[CAROLINAUNC]

OBAMA IS SO CONFUSED HE DOESN'T REALIZE THAT WHAT IS GOING ON "NOW" IS HIS FAULT! HE STILL BLAMES EVERYTHING ON SOMEONE ELSE.

OBAMA AND THE LIBERALS IN CONGRESS BASED THE ENTIRE 2008 CAMPAIGN ON LIES. THEY WILL DO ANYTHING TO STAY IN POWER. OBAMA IS THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO WEAKEN THE USA.

OUR PRESIDENT-IN-TRAINING HASN'T HANDLED ANYTHING SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE. HE SHOULD HAVE GONE TO HOLLYWOOD ---- NOT OUR WHITE HOUSE. AMONG OTHER THINGS, HE PROMISED TO CREATE JOBS. INSTEAD, HE CRAMMED OBAMACARE DOWN OUR THROATS.

OBAMA SHOULD: SUPPORT OUR MILITARY!!! CREATE JOBS!!! BUILD THE FENCE AND SECURE OUR BORDERS!!! STOP THROWING LAVISH PARTIES AND STAYING ON VACATION MOST OF THE TIME!!! HE SHOULD START DOING HIS JOB!!!

ILLEGAL MEANS UNLAWFUL!!! Why won't the Obama administration protect AMERICAN CITIZENS AND OUR BORDERS??? The Obama administration doesn't recognize them as illegal immigrants,THEY THINK OF THEM AS "UNREGISTERED DEMOCRATS"!!! The Democrats have stooped to new lows for pandering to the Hispanic voting bloc.

The American people will make them pay in November.

[Iwish4777]

Yes they will be armed, and they are only to use their weapons in self defense. I can't belive so many people are still complaining. I'm beginning to realize that this debate is based more on prejudice than anything. Lest we forget that we probably all have a grandparent or great grandparent, maybe even great great grandparent that probably came here illegally. So can you please get over yourselves and be rational? We need reform for those that have no criminal history other than coming here illegally not only for the sake of taxes, but then they can qualify for health insurance of their own, the ones that have children with citizens will be able to continue to support their families andthe entire family, American citizen spouses included, can rest easy that they won't have to rely on the government should the illegal one get deported. The ones who have children with citizens and are not married can be forced to pay child support like any other citizen would have to. Face it people. I know you don't want to admit it, but we need reform!

[retm-w]

This is a joke, the Guards hands will be tied. The old OBSERVE AND REPORT will be the order of the day. I doubt they will even be armed, if they're not armed with locked and loaded weapons, the'll just be cannon fodder for the drug and human smuggling cartels.

[worthswinger]

outrider4, you really don't have a clue do you? You are saying the people who knowingly broke the law are the ones with morals? Arizona would be bankrupt without the illegals? So I guess working and not paying taxes into the state and sending the money they make back to Mexico benefits the state? All the children in public school with no one paying taxes in for their education gets covered by who? The free medical care they get is covered be who? You are going to have to give me the facts to back up how Arizona would be bankrupt without them! The law is an insult? Do you even know what the law says? It basically amounts to asking for ID. Police all over the country ask millions of LEGAL CITIZENS of all races for their ID every day. What is the total disregard for our laws if not an insult to all of us? If they are going to disregard the border laws, what other laws will they disregard? People should have to pass an IQ and common sense test to be allowed to vote.

How stupid is the idea that illegal immigrants are going to come forward so they can pay a fine, back taxes and pay taxes from then on? Oh, wait, Obama is going to make it a law that they do so. That will work because they always obey the law!

[ajvw]

one soldier for every 1.3 miles. that ought to work. we need about 20K soldiers