Bush Calls for 6,000 Troops Along Border
On May 15, 2006, President Bush called for 6,000 National Guard troops to be stationed on the U.S.-Mexican border. By the end of 2008, the plan is to have 12,000-18,000 Border Patrol agents. There are presently about 350 National Guard troops on the border and more construction will be done on security fences, as well as putting up high-tech surveillance devices. In general, there will be more money for law enforcement in border states. The National Guard troops will be assigned to help the Border Patrol operate surveillance systems, investigate intelligence, set in fences and vehicle barriers, construct patrol roads, and supply training.
There is also a debate in the Senate on whether to let illegal aliens become legalized and have a chance at eventually becoming U.S. citizens. President Bush called this a “rational middle ground.” The immigrants would have to first get a job and work for a certain number of years, pay fines, get their background checked, and learn English. To limit the number of aliens getting legalized, they would also have to be in the country for over five years. The illegal immigrants can become citizens, but the immigrants that came to the U.S. legally will get the first priority.
Source:
Henry E., Malveaux S., Mclntyre J., Starr B., "Bush calls for 6,000 troops along border."
16 May 2006. CNN. 13 Jul 2006 <http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/15/im
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