US border security agents at work

According to today’s Houston Chronicle, “the Obama administration is planning to change its approach to securing the U.S.-Mexico border, in response to a drop in the number of arrests of illegal immigrants. Under the changes, the White House will gradually reduce the number of National Guard troops who are stationed in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas and are tasked with helping to secure the border. There are currently more than 1,200 National Guard troops who are on active duty and have border security responsibilities. It is uncertain how many National Guard troops will remain on the border, as the administration refused to provide any numbers. The National Guard troops who are taken off of the border will be replaced by Army National Guard and Air National Guard personnel who use aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned drones to conduct surveillance along the border. Border intelligence analysis will also be used to help secure the border. The changes come as the number of arrests along the U.S.-Mexico border have dropped from 1.6 million in 2000 to 340,252 in fiscal year 2011, which is a historical low.”

Given the administration’s logic, maybe if the president cut the guard force on the border even futher, fewer people will try to cross illegally. In fact, the administration’s refusal to provide additional details is not good news at all. Were he actually increasing the size of the guard force, I am sure he realizes that disclosing such would increase the deterant effect. His failure to reveal more, suggests just the opposite.