Posted on 05/12/2006 1:11:34 PM PDT by VU4G10
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon has begun drawing up plans to send troops and equipment to the U.S. border with Mexico, where hundreds of thousands of migrants enter the country illegally each year, a defense official said on Friday.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld discussed border issues at the Pentagon with his Mexican counterpart, Defense Minister Gen. Gerardo Clemente Ricardo Vega. Mexico and the United States share a 2,000-mile border.
"The U.S. and Mexican governments continue to work together to control the border and collaborate on these important efforts," said U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. J.D. Gordon, a Pentagon spokesman.
"This cooperation includes limited U.S. assistance with training, equipping and funding Mexico security forces so that they can better meet our shared challenges in protecting the border," he said.
Immigration has emerged as one of the top political issues of 2006. President George W. Bush will address the nation on immigration reform on Monday as the Senate renews debate on a bill to tighten border security and give an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants a way to legalize their status.
A defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said the Defense Department is exploring options for possible use of troops or military assets to help with border security.
Citing what some members called "an invasion" of illegal immigrants across the southern U.S. border, the House of Representatives voted 252-171 on Thursday to permit the Pentagon to assign forces to help in border protections.
Gordon noted that while the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, under the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for securing the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada, the U.S. military performs a limited support role.
For example, military unmanned aerial vehicles have provided border surveillance.
He said any additional military role would be temporary until more civilian border agents could be recruited and trained.
Gordon noted that border security is a civilian law enforcement function. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, enacted during the post-Civil War reconstruction period, prohibits federal military personnel from acting in a law enforcement capacity within the United States.
However, National Guard troops come under the command of state governors, who can use them for purposes such as border security. The president also has the power to federalize these troops.
The ACLU would put a stop to this in a heartbeat.
"Defense Minister Gen. Gerardo Clemente Ricardo Vega"
Geeze, how many names does this guy need.
How many divisions does the ACLU have?
come on, happy thoughts, it is an election year :)
I was in Mexico recently. Driving down the road in the desert, you come to military checkpoints where they stop you and search your vehicle. Guys with M-16s are standing by in case you don't stop.
I could not imagine the US doing such a thing.
The amazing part though, is that with that kind of security around, the Mexicans manage to smuggle drugs and people through the border like it was a sieve.
Has this been cleared through the mexican consulate?
AFT! (About time!)
Heck, the security guys are acting as the guards for the smugglers. You got dinero, you can buy whatever you want down there, including protection courtesy of the Mexican military.
It is within the power and purview of Congress "To provide for calling forth the militia to ... repel invasions;"
Why do they keep insisting that securing an international border is the responsibility of the Several States?
Yet we will not offer the same assets to our local sheriffs, police, etc. to apprehend these law breakers and who are in fact, breaking our laws with the assistance of the Mexican government that we are meeting with.
Mr. President and Mr. Rumsfeld how about stopping talking the talk and start walking the walk? You're about 4 years overdue.
Does this act prevent the US Military from protecting this country when it's being attacked and invaded by foreigners? Mexican Troops are supporting this invasion even to the extent of firing on our law enforcement. That comes close to an act of war.
Fine with me as long as they stay ... Build the fence now, then we can 'bring the troops home' ... insert whine here ___.
As part of base closings and realignment, I would make very long and skinny military bases and locate them right on the border...
That is fantastic news!! Gov Perry is thrilled with the idea.
Thanks President Bush!
Now that GWB is getting his keister handed to him by his own base on the illegal alien issue, he's putting out some window dressing, probably as cover so that he can ram his "it's not an amnesty" plan thru the Senate. Put troops on the border and keep them there for a few years and THEN we can talk about what to do with the people already here.
On the one hand, I think it's a good idea. On the other, I have to wonder if they'll be sharing troop locations with Mexico, as they are alleged to be doing with the Minutement. If so, it's a useless gesture.
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