http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=5178648

House Speaker Hastert heading for the Mexican border


WASHINGTON House Speaker Dennis Hastert, preparing for a two-state tour of the Mexican border, said today that immigration legislation must first "solve the problem" of illegal entry into the United States.

Hastert -- a Republican from Illinois -- says -- quote -- "I've always said you need to build a fence on the border and you need to have military. There are places the military can help, especially the National Guard."

Hastert and a handful of lawmakers intend to make stops this weekend in Arizona and Texas, meeting with National Guard troops deployed to assist Border Patrol agents. They will also visit Camp Grip, which aides described as a remote, desert location and prime area for smugglers.

The group also plans a night tour along the border at Nogales, Arizona, and a stop at the Bridge of Americas Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas.