Budget Falls Short On Border Security

President Bush's new budget again fails to fund the entire number of Border Patrol agents mandated by Congress but for the first time includes funds for his proposed guest-worker program.

Guest worker program? What's that? Oh, the thing we're doing instead of enforcing the law...Got it, thanks.

The budget calls for 1,500 new U.S. Border Patrol agents and 6,700 new detention beds for illegal aliens awaiting deportation -- far more than last year's budget, but still short of the 2,000 new agents and 8,000 new beds per year that he and Congress agreed to in the December 2004 intelligence-overhaul bill.
"It's a very strong budget, and the request clearly reflects the priority that is placed on securing our borders," said Department of Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke, who said it reflects a comprehensive strategy that includes personnel, beds, technology such as sensors and drone aircraft, and fences like the one being built near San Diego.

OTM's (other than Mexicans) number in the thousands. Creating six thousand beds without stopping the problem at the border would be like trying to move the desert with a spoon.

Those who want stricter immigration controls said Mr. Bush has shown that he recognizes the need for more enforcement but must meet the promises of the 2004 bill.
"He couldn't have just gone an extra 1,300?" asked Rosemary Jenks, government relations director for NumbersUSA, about the shortfall on detention beds. "The idea they're going to stop the catch-and-release policy without adequately funding those detention beds is just ludicrous."
She also said Mr. Bush's "one-track focus on the temporary-worker program is detrimental" to the other border- and immigration-security efforts, but was pleased that the administration included money to begin funding a proposed employer-verification system that passed the House last month.

How about fixing the problem before we legalize all the illegals? Is that too much to ask?

Read the rest of this drivel, here.

H/T Kender

illegal immigration
guest worker program
HR4437