U.S. To Deploy Up To 1,200 National Guard Troops To Border

In a move that could appease some Republicans, the White House just announced that President Obama will deploy up to 1,200 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to provide surveillance and reconnaissance support to Customs and Border Patrol.
The president will also request $500 million in funds for enhanced border protection and law enforcement activities, according to an administration official.

The announcement comes on the heels of Mr. Obama's meeting with Senate Republicans on Tuesday. Mr. Obama has been under pressure from Arizona Republicans John McCain and Jon Kyl to deploy National Guard troops to the border before the Senate takes up immigration reform.

During a state visit by Mexican President Felipe Calderon last week, Mr. Obama promised increased security at the nation's borders to combat illegal immigration and the flow of drugs and weapons into the United States.

The White House says that the deployment and funding request will tackle both issues, while the administration continues to work with Congress to fix a "broken immigration system."