1,200 National Guard Troops Heading to Mexico Border

Obama trying to woo GOP on immigration reform
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted May 25, 2010 2:15 PM CDT
1,200 National Guard Troops Heading to Mexico Border
In this 2007 file photo, a National Guard unit patrols the Arizona-Mexico border in Sasabe, Ariz.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, file)

President Obama is trying to prove to skeptical Republicans that he's willing to get tough on border security. In exchange, he wants their help passing immigration reform this year. In a visit to Capitol Hill today, Obama told GOP lawmakers that he will deploy 1,200 National Guard troops to the US-Mexico border and seek $500 million in additional funds for related security, reports the Arizona Daily Star.

Republicans have been reluctant to back immigration reform until the border is secure, writes Michael D. Shear in the Washington Post. Obama's offer, however, may not be enough: John McCain says he's going to push for 6,000 troops. "The violence has crossed the border and escalated to a point where many Arizonans do not feel safe within their own homes," he and fellow Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl wrote to the president last week.
(More President Obama stories.)

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