Barack Obama's Orders Guard to Mexican Border

[Geee]

Politico:



By JOSH GERSTEIN & JONATHAN ALLEN | 5/25/10 2:56 PM EDT
Updated: 5/25/10 5:24 PM EDT

Barack Obama's move is designed to quell an uproar over border security and immigration policy.

In a move to quell growing public anger and mounting fear over illegal immigration along the Southwest border, President Barack Obama is ordering up to 1,200 additional National Guard troops to the border area and requesting an additional $500 million from Congress to slow the flow of migrants.

In addition to the troops, the funding will be used to increase Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security activities at the border with Mexico “to include increased agents, investigators, and prosecutors, as part of a multi-layered effort to target illicit networks trafficking in people, drugs, illegal weapons, and money,” an administration official said Tuesday.

The announcement seemed designed to blunt an amendment in the Senate by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to provide $250 million for deployment of 6,000 National Guard troops to the border. And the White House move was quickly denounced by Republicans, who criticized it as insufficient, and by immigration reform advocates, who accused the White House of engaging in “political theater.”

“It’s simply not enough. We need 6,000,” complained McCain, who is opposed by immigration foe J.D. Hayworth in a GOP primary.

“The guard troops have had a very salutary effect. That’s why we need 6,000 of them,” McCain said in a speech on the Senate floor. He said such troops were needed to head off violent incidents such as one in March where an Arizona rancher was allegedly killed by someone crossing the border illegally.

Just before word of the border aid package emerged Tuesday afternoon, McCain squared off with the president over the issue during the closed-door session at the Capitol. “We need to secure the borders first,” McCain said afterward. “He didn’t agree."

Immigrants’ rights advocates, who have been grumbling for months about lackluster support from the White House for immigration reform legislation, said Obama’s move amounted to pandering that wouldn’t do much to solve the border area’s problems.

“Deploying additional National Guard without a clear strategy to end arms or drug smuggling is a response to tired talking points,” said Ali Noorani of the National Immigration Forum. “Without true immigration reform, the political theater will continue and billions will continue to be wasted on misguided border security measures.”

[Casino67]

STATEMENT BY THE EMBASSY OF MEXICO

25 May 2010

 

 

Washington D.C, May 25th, 2010

 

Regarding the Administration’s decision to send 1,200 National Guard servicemen to the US Southern border, the Government of Mexico trusts that this decision will help to channel additional US resources to enhance efforts to prevent the illegal flows of weapons and bulk cash into Mexico, which provide organized crime with its firepower and its ability to corrupt.

 

Additionally, the Government of Mexico expects that National Guard personnel will strengthen US operations in the fight against transnational organized crime that operates on both sides of our common border and that it will not, in accordance to its legal obligations, conduct activities directly linked to the enforcement of immigration laws.

 

Mexico is determined to continue working on its side of the border to enhance the security and well-being of border communities, and to deter and dismantle organized crime and its links to drug trafficking and human smuggling.

 

As part of our joint strategy in the fight against transnational organized crime, there are actions that our two governments have undertaken together, and there are other measures taken independently by Mexico and by the US within their respective territories. In this regard, the Mexican Government fully respects the sovereign decisions of the US Government, but underscores that joint responsibility must continue to underpin our joint efforts in rolling-back transnational organized crime operating on both sides of the border.

 

Embajada de Mexico en Estados Unidos de America

1911 Pennsylvania AV, NW, Washington D.C. 20006

Tel: (202) 728 1600

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Still trying to tell us what to do.

[pinz]

Makes me think the Dems realize that Americans love the Arizona law and they are running like crazy to get themselves at the head of the parade. At the same time, they are trying to portray themselves as just ambling along the street, taking in the sights, and will just happen to be on the right side of polling questions for a little while.

 

McCain is just as bad. Were it not for his primary, he'd be up there with little Lindsay, negotiating amnesty terms.

[SrWoodchuck]

Geee! Thanks!

 

1,200? Yes. Game plan? No.

 

Oh.......and he's only doing this because they're already planning their withdrawal for early 2011. By that time the counter-insurgency should have taken hold, and the troops can come home.

 

Deploying with the National Guard, will be {5} troops of the Boy Scouts of America, Council 177, also called up by President Obama.

 

I don't need to remind you that this group is a heavy weapons outfit, and that regardless of the situation, they have all made promises, that they will "Be Prepared!" Go lads, go.

[NCJim]

[clearvision]

Problem is, that picture is of the National Guard aiming at the Arizona cop who just pulled over the truck with 15 non-English speaking, relatively dark skinned, "visitors" to this great country.

[Sabre86]

Obama is trying to improve his poll numbers.

[Argyle58]

It is my understanding that the 1,200 Guardsmen will be filling administrative positions. More smoke and mirrors.

 

The DoJ team that is "reviewing" the Arizona immigration law has advised the administration challenge the law in court. How Zero reacts to this recommendation will have a more profound effect on border security than this handfull of troops.

[NCTexan]

My bet is that GITMO will be closed before we see effective boots on the ground stopping illegals at the border. But don't hold your breath on either.

 

Like Rush said about Obama a long time ago, "Words, words, words.... just words!"

[Sanguine]

Update:

 

Arizona Gets Border Soldiers; None for Texas

Perry's request goes ignored for more than a year

By OMAR VILLAFRANCA

Updated 11:50 AM CDT, Wed, May 26, 2010

 

AP

 

Arizona got a response. Texas is still waiting for an answer.

 

After repeated requests for help, President Barack Obama has agreed to send 1,200 National Guard troops to Arizona's border with Mexico. But so far, the president hasn't responded to Texas' request for assistance.

 

Gov. Rick Perry has sent letters to Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano requesting National Guard troops for the Texas-Mexico border.

 

Almost a year and a half after the first letter was sent, Perry hasn't received an answer.

 

LINK

 

I dunno. So, is it political or not?

[Pepper]

My bet is that GITMO will be closed before we see effective boots on the ground stopping illegals at the border. But don't hold your breath on either.

Like Rush said about Obama a long time ago, "Words, words, words.... just words!"