Obama signs border security bill, with no comment

11:34 AM 78

President Obama signed a new border security bill today, but didn't comment on it or the prospects of more immigration legislation down the line.

Only photographers were allowed into the Oval Office ceremony. No reporters.

The Southwest Border Security Bill provides $600 million "to enhance technology at the border, share information and support with state, local and tribal law enforcement, and increase (federal) presence and law enforcement activities at the border," the White House said in a statement.

Regarding new federal help, the Justice and Homeland Security departments will provide "increased agents, investigators and prosecutors, as part of a multilayered effort to target illicit networks trafficking in people, drugs, illegal weapons and money," the statement added.

Obama has called for comprehensive immigration reform that includes not only better security on the border, but a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants who are already here. Republican critics support a tighter border, but citizenship proposals amount to amnesty for lawbreakers.

http://www.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/Index