Pres. Obama Requests $600 Million from Congress for Increased Border Security
Pres. Obama officially asked Congress on Tuesday for $600 million of emergency funding to be used to hire 1,000 border patrol agents, acquire two drones and take other steps to increase border security. In his 2011 budget released this past February, Pres. Obama, however, proposed cutting border patrol agents along the Southwest border and slashing funding for the "virtual fence."
In a letter sent Tuesday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the President said, "these amendments would support efforts to secure the Southwest border and enhance federal border protection, law enforcement and counter-narcotics activities."
The funds would also provide for the hiring of 160 Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and additional Drug Enforcement Administration agents to combat drug trafficking along the border.
After Arizona passed its immigration enforcement law, Pres. Obama announced that he would send 1,200 National Guard Troops to the border to help support Border Patrol Agents with administrative work. He also said he would request $500 million in additional funding. While yesterday's monetary request seems to satisfy part of the President's response, he has yet to send the National Guard Troops to the border.
For more information, see the Los Angeles Times.