Guard troops to head to border states Aug. 1

[The Northerner]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON – National Guard troops will head to the U.S.-Mexico border on Aug. 1 for a year-long deployment to keep a lookout for illegal border crossers and smugglers and help in criminal investigations, federal officials said Monday.

The troops will be armed, but can use their weapons only to protect themselves, Gen. Craig McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau said at a Pentagon news conference. The troops will undergo initial training and be fully deployed along the nearly 2,000-mile southern border by September.

The deployment announcement comes as drug-related violence has escalated in Mexico. Several people were killed over the weekend in a car bombing and in a separate massacre at a private party in Mexico. It also comes as the U.S. debate over illegal immigration has intensified in this election year.

"The border is more secure and more resourced than it has ever been, but there is more to be done," said Alan Bersin, commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, part of the Homeland Security Department.

The 1,200 troops will be distributed among four border states, with Arizona getting 524; Texas, 250; California, 224 and New Mexico, 72. Another 130 would be assigned to a national liaison office.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100719/ap_on_go_ot/us_border_security_guard

[oneshooter]

1. Too little, Too late. n/t

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bobbieo]

3. I'm a border resident and this scares the hell out of me!

[emilyg]

4. May I ask why?

[Bobbieo]

5. Becasue I think this will bring the drug war across the border. I

guess it already is in some areas.

[emilyg]

8. Thanks.

[ChiTownChavista]

6. wrong target.

They should be there arresting the white racists who run Arizona.

[davidinalameda]

7. on what grounds?

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[davidinalameda]

11. don't think that's against the law

[liberal N proud]

9. What about illegal Canadians?

Living in along the northern edge of the US, shouldn't we be worried too?

:sarcasm:

[dipsydoodle]

12. US to send National Guard to Mexican border in August

Source: BBC News

US National Guard troops will begin deploying along the US-Mexico border from 1 August, officials say.

The 1,200 troops, ordered to the border by President Barack Obama, form part of efforts to tackle illegal immigration and drug-trafficking.

They will be in four border states, with Arizona getting the largest share.

A controversial new state law is due to come into effect in Arizona on 29 July making it a crime to be in the state without without immigration papers.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-10695736

[ixion]

13. *sigh*

"Change", my arse. :argh:

[nradisic]

14. Good move...

Before I get flamed....

I am a naturalized US citizen who jumped through all the hoops legally to obtain US citizenship. I am also a very Progressive minded individual in most of my beliefs, but that stops with Immigration & Border Protection. I believe that the only way to get the immigration problem solved is 2 fold: Pass comprehensive immigration reform allowing for a guest worker program and put troops along our borders to make sure people cannot just waltz in...

It may seem progressive at first, but since I was bale to legally figure how to stay in the US, become a tax paying citizen, then we have to find a way for others to do it the same way, without the current mess continuing without a real solution.

[bowens43]

15. every day this administration gives me another reason

to stay home in November.....

Seriously, I have voted a straight Democratic ticket in every election since 1976 and frankly I see no reason to continue doing so.

using the military for police work.........very nasty business.

[saigon68]

16. 18 year olds after going through basic

Are not Cops.

A Very Bad idea-- sending them perpetually to kill rag heads (another bad idea)