Congressmen from two other states tour the border

May 22, 2011

DOUGLAS - Tim Holden of the 17th Congressional District in Pennsylvania is one of three congressman visiting our border this weekend, and they're all here because Gabrielle Giffords' invited them.

Holden said, "We're just very honored to be here, and to support her cause, and really to learn."

Congressman John Barrow of the 12th District in Georgia believes that border patrol is doing a good job, but there's still work to do.

Barrow said, "If folks don't feel as secure within 15-20 miles of the border. Whatever they're doing and wherever they are as we feel in my part of the country, we've got a lot of work to do."

The National Guard confirmed that they will be pulling troops away from border tasks this weekend, and all three congressmen agree that the National Guard should stick around.

Jason Altmire of the 4th Congressional District, also in Pennsylvania, thinks the National Guard is an important addition.

Altmire said, "I think there's more to do, we've made great progress in that deterrence, with the surveillance technology with building fences like this, but I think there's a lot more work to do in keeping the illegal immigrants out of the country."

That's why these congressmen have come from far away to make a difference that hits close to home.

Altmire said, "It makes a big impact on me and I'm going to be able to carry back to Washington what I've learned and hopefully and hopefully work on securing the borders."

Last August, President Obama sent 1200 national guard troops to secure the border; 532 were stationed along the Arizona Mexico border.

The troops were scheduled to stay until June, but Governor Jan Brewer says they should stay longer.

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