Ya beat me on that reply...
Bush was very clear that a secured border was critical to the rest of it succeeding in taking the pressure off the border and correcting past mistakes.
Much improved border security was always tied to the comprehensiveness of the plan. He said it more times then I can count and he never wavered..
But why does it have be done all in one bill? Close the border now, then work on the disguised amnesty bill.
And that has to come first. Not simultaneously. And it will take more than 6,000 part time NG troops in support roles to significantly improve security along a 2,000 mile border.