Posted on 05/12/2006 3:27:50 PM PDT by mylife
Bush Weighs Deploying Guard to U.S. Border WASHINGTON, May. 12, 2006(AP) President Bush, trying to build momentum for a major overhaul of the nation's immigration laws, is considering plans to shore up the Mexican border with National Guard troops paid for by the federal government, according to senior administration officials.
One defense official said military leaders believe the number of troops required could range from 3,500 to perhaps 10,000, depending on the final plan. Another administration official cautioned that the 10,000 figure was too high.
The officials insisted on anonymity since no decision has been announced.
The president was expected to reveal his plans in an address Monday at 8 p.m. EDT. It will be the first time he has used the Oval Office for a domestic policy speech _ a gesture intended to underscore the importance he places on the divisive immigration issue.
The key questions Friday were exactly how many National Guard troops might be deployed, for how long and at what cost to federal taxpayers _ as well as the problem of possible disruption of upcoming deployments to Iraq and elsewhere overseas.
As discussions among the White House, the Pentagon and the states continued on how the military could be used to secure the southern border, defense officials said that states want the federal government to pick up what will be a significant tab for the increased security. Officials had no estimates on that cost.
Bush's speech Monday night is intended to build support for broad immigration overhaul by taking substantive steps to secure the border.
"We need to beef up those (border) operations and the cost will be substantial," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in an interview. "People are just not going to accept comprehensive immigration reform unless they are assured the government is going to secure the border. People have lost confidence in the federal government because they simply haven't addressed this in a dramatic and effective way."
Paul McHale, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense, asked officials earlier this week to offer options for the use of military resources and troops _ particularly the National Guard _ along the border with Mexico, according to defense officials familiar with the discussions.
Cornyn said state officials are also looking for more unmanned aircraft, ground sensors, surveillance cameras and military training to help with border patrols.
Defense officials said the National Guard may be used only until significant additions to the existing civilian border patrols can be fully funded and completed.
Currently there are about 100 National Guard troops involved in counter-drug operations, including some along the border, said Guard Bureau spokesman Jack Harrison. He said there are also between 10-15 Guard members _ mostly engineers _ helping border patrol agents with vehicle and heavy equipment support.
The discussions this week underscored the importance of the border and immigrations issues, yet were tentative enough to reflect worries about drawing the nation's armed forces into a politically sensitive domestic role.
Southern lawmakers met with White House strategist Karl Rove earlier in the week for a discussion that included making greater use of National Guard troops to shore up border control. And on Capitol Hill, the Senate is poised to pass legislation this month that would call for additional border security, a new guest worker program and provisions opening the way to eventual citizenship for many of the estimated 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants in the country.
Currently, the military plays a very limited role along the borders, but some active duty forces have been used in the past to help battle drug traffickers.
The National Guard is generally under the control of the state governors, but Guard units can be federalized by the president, such as those sent to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Active duty military may not be used for law enforcement unless the president authorizes it.
In addition, under federal law, in certain circumstances the states can maintain control of their Guard units but arrange to have the costs picked up by the federal government. That allows the Guard to continue to perform law enforcement activities.
Officials wrangled over the use of the active military during Hurricane Katrina, with some suggesting that troops be used for law enforcement to quell violence and looters in New Orleans. There were also suggestions that Bush federalize the National Guard there, but state officials opposed that proposal. In the end, neither move was made.
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AP White House correspondent Terence Hunt contributed to this report.
There wouldn't be a violation of posse commitatis if the governors consented to their use for law enforcement purposes.
Don't weigh(t) too long, georgie boy. Your conservative base is very impatient.
Because if border guards are hired they will still be at work after the amnesty passes, whereas if the National Guard is deployed it can be undeployed just as easily once the amnesty passes.
Yes, but will governors consent? to using their NG units?
Will Ahhnald and Napalitano and Richardson do it?
Rick Perry wont hesitate
No, the only way it wouldn't be a violation is if Congress enacts it. Bush cannot do this on his own short of declaring a national emergency and martial law on the border.
I suppose that AP, rather than Bush, is responsible for the phrase, "trying to build momentum for a major overhaul of the nation's immigration laws." But Bush has done a lot of talking about immigration "reform" of various kinds.
We don't need an overhaul or "reform." We need a president who will stand up and demand that the laws we already have should be enforced. It is his responsibility to do so at the federal level. And it is also his responsibility to call on the state governors to reinforce the laws at the state level.
How many employers were convicted of hiring illegal aliens this last year, according to a story here yesterday? One? How many welfare scams has he cracked down on? How many identity thefts?
The POTUS, every senator, congressman, and governor, swears and oath on taking office to enforce the laws of our states and our country. How about doing it?
Governors may request federal troops.
Actually, it's Bush that's responsible, though the phrase he's used consistently is "comprehensive reform" of immigration laws.
Its an interesting political move.
It gets the immigration monkey off The presidents back and throws the burdon to largely dem and rino governors
IT'S POLL TIME!!!
Do you support using US troops to secure our borders?
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/
Results will be read at the top of the hour.
Yes under emergency conditions but I don't see any governors doing it.
I hear heads popping over at DU already
The shoot back issue is a very important one. From what I hear, Mexican military routinely cross the border with hostile intent.
Sounds to me like the Mexican-American war, 2007 version, is shaping up.
And lets remind them that the last time it happened, it only took us like four days to seize Mexico City.
AP: "Bush Gives FReepers Exactly What They Asked For; FReepers Still Bitch Anyway"
I already thought of that. I think Arnold would. I think Napolitano and Richardson would be between a rock and a hard place. Richardson has presidential ambitions. He'd be dammed either way. Napolitano is up for reelection this year.
On Capitol Hill on Thursday, the House voted 252-171 to allow Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to assign military personnel under certain circumstances to help the Homeland Security Department with border security. The House added the provision to a larger military measure.
ROFLMAO!
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