Posted on 05/14/2006 1:29:04 PM PDT by LouAvul
WASHINGTON - On the eve of President Bush's Oval Office address on immigration, members of Congress expressed concern Sunday that using National Guard troops to keep illegal immigrants from crossing the border would further burden an overextended military.
The criticism came from Democrats, but also an important Republican negotiator in the immigration debate — Sen. Chuck Hagel (news, bio, voting record) of Nebraska. He said National Guard troops cannot secure the border over the long term and that he does not think it is wise even in the short term.
"We've got National Guard members on their second, third and fourth tours in Iraq," Hagel said. "We have stretched our military as thin as we have ever seen it in modern times. And what in the world are we talking about here, sending a National Guard that we may not have any capacity to send up to or down to protect borders? That's not their role."
The president's national security adviser said sending troops to patrol the border with Mexico is among the ideas Bush is considering on immigration.
Bush planned to say in his national address at 8 p.m. EDT Monday how the government should deal with border security and illegal immigrants already in the United States, Stephen Hadley said.
"This is not about militarizing the border," Hadley said on "Face the Nation" on CBS. "The president is looking to do everything he can to secure the border. It's what the American people want."
Bush is considering the National Guard plan as he seeks support from conservatives in Congress for his immigration bill. Bush wants to allow foreigners to get temporary work permits to enter and work in the U.S., but many conservatives want a tougher approach on illegal immigrants trying to sneak into the country.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said he supported using the National Guard on the Mexican border. He said lawmakers who doubt that the National Guard, whose members have served for years in Iraq and went to the Gulf Coast after last summer's hurricanes, could take on border patrol duty are "whining" and "moaning."
"We've got to secure our borders," Frist said on CNN's "Late Edition." "We hear it from the American people. We've got millions of people coming across that border. First and foremost, secure the border, whatever it takes. Everything else we've done has failed. We've got to face that. And so we need to bring in, I believe, the National Guard."
Hagel said the bill under debate in the Senate that he helped write would double the 12,000-strong Border Patrol force over the next five years. "That's the way to fix it, not further stretching the National Guard," he said on ABC's "This Week."
Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., said there may be a need for troops to fill in while the Border Patrol is bolstered. But he did not seem confident that the National Guard could take on the extra duty.
"We have stretched these men and women so thin, so thin, because of the bad mistakes done by the civilians in the military here, that I wonder how they're going to be able to do it," Biden said, also on ABC.
About 100 National Guard troops are serving on the border to assist with counter-drug operations, heavy equipment support and other functions. Bush is considering an increase into the thousands, and Hadley would not directly rule out using armed National Guard troops directly on guard duty.
Hadley also would not say whether Bush supports building a fence or wall along part of the border with Mexico. Hadley said the president and Congress will have to decide how immigrant workers who are in the U.S. illegally can become citizens.
Frist said the full Senate planned to begin debating the immigration bill Monday and that it would take up to two weeks to pass.
Senators would have to resolve any differences with the House version of the bill, which did not address the guest worker issue but increases penalties for illegal immigration activities and funds a 700-mile border fence.
Guard Presence on Border Worries Lawmakers
Lawmakers Presence in Congress Worries Me.
The "anchor baby" issue must be adressed.
If an illegal gives birth in the USA, the mother (parents) must immediately decide whether to give the kid citizenship or not. If so, the child is immediately enrolled in the foster care system/adoption program and is a US citizen. If not, the kid heads back to his home across the border with his/her parents.
Either way, mama gets deported, along with daddy.
There should be a manned gate every 100 to 200 miles where illegals immigrants can go to become legal citizens again.
Then FUND the BP appropriately, you bozos. Enough with the claims to be "troubled" and "concerned". Take some votes.
You are on to something.....
Maybe someone with the programming expertise can develop a FR "Weenie of the Week Club"...say 3 polls, the Republican, the democrat, and the Independent. I am certain there would be a winner in each category every week!
We could nominate and poll results could be available to all...hold on to your hats Zogby!
He's had his head in Uranus for years.
Fie upon the lawmakers. That's a really good use of the Guard. They call it the "Guard", you know. Not the "stand around with your thumb...where it shouldn't".
*This is always hazardous. I should go read the article now.
On the same scale of 50 yards, I suggest a canal where feasible, 10-20 feet deep, all on US property and routed for cost purposes. It could be patrolled by our Coast Guard 24/7. The southern fence fronting the canal could be 15-20 feet with appropriate cameras, warnings and lighting. What do you think?
Chuckie Boy is the personification of the "Internationalist New World Order" type. I hope the voters of Nebraska send his sorry ass packing the first chance they get.
Now why did I say Pluto? You clever guy you...you...you...
I don't believe they doubled the Border Patrol. They have increased it but only incrementally. Congress appropriated the funds, but the Executive Branch didn't spend all of the money, IIRC.
WTF???
Almost EVERY COUNTRY DEFENDS ITS OWN BORDERS but only in politically correct America does it becomes a BAD thing???
Maybe that terrorist was right to shout in defiance "america you lost" when he was dragged off to serve a life sentence instead of being executed.
America (esp the leaders) has lost its will & courage to do the right & moral thing to defend its own borders for fear of 'litigation & being demeaned'.
This time I was right.
I like it. I nominate Zogby for, well take your pick. Weenie?
Great pic! LOL...
I also think that using the Guard to help protect the border is a good thing. Not sure why there's any opposition to it after seeing the illegals protesting in the streets for the last couple months.
I was close. There were about 8000 agents in 2001. The total number has doubled in the last 10 years, and is 6 times greater than when the last amnesty was passed in the Reagan years. Still hasn't done much to stem the tide/
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