Bush wants National Guard to boost Mexican border security
In a move designed to win over support for US immigration reform from get-tough conservatives, President George Bush is to announce a plan to send thousands of National Guard troops to help secure the Mexican border.
Bush will propose using the troops as a stopgap measure while the Border Patrol builds up its resources to more effectively patrol the 2,000-mile line between the US and Mexico, said two White House officials. The president is scheduled to speak at 8pm (1am Irish time tomorrow).
Bush was to call for the troops to play a supportive role to Border Patrol agents, who would maintain primary responsibility for physically guarding the border, and mention the need for immigrants to learn English and assimilate into US culture if they are to become citizens.
Some politicians have expressed concern about overextending a National Guard force already tied up in Iraq and Mexican President Vicente Fox called Bush yesterday to express concern about the possibility of a “militarised” border between the nations.
