Hundreds more National Guard troops will be deployed to the U.S.- Mexican border on Aug. 1 as part of the Obama Administration's efforts to increase borders security, the New York Times reported.
Our Los Angeles immigration attorneys reported last month that another $500 million will be spent to deploy additional troops along the Mexican border. Meanwhile, arrests at the border are already at the lowest level since the 1970s and the number of troops has doubled since 2004 and now stands at more than 20,000.
Obama signed the order in May, which will send about 500 more soldiers to the Arizona border while another 700 will be spread along the Mexican border in New Mexico, Texas and California.
Our Santa Ana immigration lawyers question to need for the troops but not the political reasoning behind the move. As we reported here, the downturn in the American economy has had the biggest impact in the decline on illegal immigration. But showing a commitment to border security (even when the additional troops will serve no practical purpose) is a good political move as the administration seeks movement on immigration reform from hardline Republicans and prepares to fight against Arizona's new immigration law.
When we say no practical purpose, that is precisely what we mean: A thousand additional troops is an increase in troop strength of about 5 percent. Using the standard law enforcement ratio of 4-1 (it takes four officers on the force for every one patrolman on the street because of 24-hour work days and rotating days off), the announcement will add one soldier for every eight miles of border.
"These troops will provide direct support to federal law enforcement officers and agents working in high-risk areas to disrupt criminal organizations seeking to move people and goods illegally across the southwest border," said Janet Napolitano, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Napolitano, the former governor of Arizona, also wrote a guest column published in the Arizona Republic, that state's largest newspaper.
The Los Angeles immigration lawyers at HOWARD | NASSIRI offer confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-872-5925 or contact us through this website.
