National Guard to patrol our borders

I wholeheartedly agree with the President’s plan to bolster the nation’s Homeland Security, Border Patrol by augmenting it with National Guard. Of course, there will be heated discussions surrounding his plan, as the illegal immigration issue has become the political hot potatoes of both parties.

The White House also stated the added role of border patrol and security will not compromise National Guard responsibilities in the Iraq war or traditional disaster response issues when they occur. This is welcome news as long as they tick to that statement and not spread the guard too thin. The reports from the White House further insured that no active duty troops would be involved in this plan.

White House counselor Dan Bartlett was quoted by CBS News that the use of National Guard troops won't be "a militarization of the borders, nor will that guard forces sent to the Mexican border area "will not have law enforcement responsibilities or powers." They will act "in a supportive role."

The Border Patrol working along both the Arizona and Texas borders have been reported to be spread too thin to be an effective border crossing and illegal drug enforcement federal agency to fully accomplish their assigned mission. I feel that as long as the National Guard forces are not overworked and spread too far out, as some analysts are currently predicting then they would be a welcome addition to not only the border patrol, but American’s living along the border in various border towns.