Senator pushes border security

By Jose L. Medina/Sun-News reporter
Article Launched: 09/22/2007 01:00:00 AM MDT
Sun-News reporter

LAS CRUCES — An amendment to a defense authorization bill would give border governors the authority to deploy their state's National Guards to assist with border security even after the current Operation Jump Start ends.

The amendment to the 2008 fiscal year Defense Authorization Bill currently being debated in the U.S. Congress has been proposed by U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M. The amendment calls for the expansion of federal law that allows governor's to use the Guard to counter drug smuggling and other border protection activities in their home state.

Debate on the bill is expected to end next week.

Operation Jump Start provides administrative, non-law enforcement assistance to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, making more Border Patrol agents available for patrol duty along the border.

Operation Jump Start began in June 2006 and is expected to continue until at least June 2008.

A spokesman for Domenici said the success of the operation prompted the senator to make the amendment.

"If (governors) have the National Guard troops available, they can put them on the border," Domenici spokesman Chris Gallegos said.

National Guard spokesman Maj. Ken Nava said language in the
amendment appears to give the governor some more authority.

"Our stance is that we serve under the command of Gov. (Bill) Richardson," Nava said. "We will go wherever or whenever he wants us to go somewhere. And we will protect the citizens of New Mexico, the property of New Mexicans and we will do so as directed by the governor."

Operation Jump Start began in June 2006 with 6,000 guardsmen deployed along the border states, including New Mexico.

Since the operation began, apprehensions of have dropped 25 percent along the entire border with Mexico and in the El Paso sector, which includes all of New Mexico, apprehensions have dropped 43 percent.

Border Patrol spokesman Doug Mosier declined to comment, saying the Border Patrol does not comment on pending legislation.

Domenici's amendment comes as the number of troops along the border is on the decline.

In August, about 1,000 troops were stationed on the New Mexico border with Mexico, a number that includes guard members from other states. That number is expected to soon drop to 300. Of those 300, about half are New Mexico guardsmen.

Jose Medina can be reached at jmedina@lcsun-news.com

http://www.scsun-news.com/news/ci_6966189