President Barack Obama to send 1,200 troops to the US-Mexico border

President Barack Obama, will send up to 1,200 extra troops to the Mexican border to help in the fight against illegal substance trafficking and illegal immigration, said Tuesday a senior official of his government.

“As part of its plan to secure the border (…) President Obama will ask for $ 500 million in additional funding for improved border protection and operations to maintain order,” said the official, who requested anonymity.

“The president also will deploy on the border up to 1,200 additional troops of the National Guard, on demand, to further missions of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance,” said the source.

This troops will be a temporarily solution to increase the number of border patrol agents while the Customs and the US Border Patrol can hire and prepare more agents to patrol and protect the US-Mexico border.

The governors and senators from border states with Mexico had requested the deployment of National Guard troops to secure the border with increased violence from Mexican cartels, which operate mainly in the area.

For his part, Sen. John McCain said the number of guards is not enough and asked to increase the number to 6,000.

“The White House is doing the right thing,” said Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. “People from Arizona know that if there are more guards in the area means we have a more secure border. Washington heard our message, ” said Giffords.