Obama Seeks $27B to Clamp Down on Border

Budget focuses on halting flow of guns, illegal immigrants

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted May 6, 2009 10:32 AM CDT

(Newser) – In the budget he’ll hand to Congress tomorrow, President Obama is seeking $27 billion for border and transportation security as he focuses on immigration enforcement and battling the flow of US arms to Mexico. The 8% increase over this year’s budget allows for an expansion of border teams, a security boosts at airports and seaports, and immigrant screening programs, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Prioritizing enforcement may be a necessary nod to conservatives if Obama wants to push a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants, the Times notes. “If the American people don't feel like you can secure the borders, then it's hard to strike a deal that would get people out of the shadows and on a pathway to citizenship,” Obama said. But the president’s plans mark a change from the Bush administration’s focus on border fences, expanded detention centers, and teams to raid workplaces.

Wearing a Barack Obama mask, Anthony Marquez waves to people during a march and rally for immigration law reform, in Los Angeles Friday, May 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

President Barack Obama speaks during a news conference in the East Room at the White House, Wednesday, April 29, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

A security guard, wearing a surgical mask, stands at the Mexican Immigration office at the US-Mexico border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico, Monday, April 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)

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Obama Seeks $27B to Clamp Down on Border

Budget focuses on halting flow of guns, illegal immigrants

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For Illegals, No More Mr. Nice Border Patrol

'Consequence delivery system' won't just turn border crossers around

Obama: Let Illegals Stay While Applying for Documents

Proposal wouldn't require Congress' OK

Arizona: Please Donate to Help Build Border Fence

Gov. Jan Brewer signed bill launching the plan

Illegal Population to Boom if We Kill 14th Amendment

5M US-born illegal residents by 2050

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's a Cowboy; Obama's a Pansy

Chuck Norris himself tackles illegal immigration

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Obama Seeks $27B to Clamp Down on Border

Budget focuses on halting flow of guns, illegal immigrants

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

immigration • immigration reform • border control • transportation • illegal immigration • border security • arms trafficking • Obama administration • President Obama

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

For Illegals, No More Mr. Nice Border Patrol

'Consequence delivery system' won't just turn border crossers around

Obama: Let Illegals Stay While Applying for Documents

Proposal wouldn't require Congress' OK

Arizona: Please Donate to Help Build Border Fence

Gov. Jan Brewer signed bill launching the plan

Illegal Population to Boom if We Kill 14th Amendment

5M US-born illegal residents by 2050

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's a Cowboy; Obama's a Pansy

Chuck Norris himself tackles illegal immigration

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Newser By Users

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