Rep. Hinojosa: "No Troops to Border"

Last Update: 3/01 7:21 pm


WESLACO - The federal government will not be sending any military troops to the border any time soon.

Today, U.S. Representative Ruben Hinojosa told CHANNEL 5 NEWS Congress would not be sending any National Guard or other troops.

He says Congress will instead continue to support the Merida initiative. It gives equipment and training to Mexican law enforcement agencies. Hinojosa said more than a billion dollars has already been given to Mexico. The Congressman adds the U.S. government is working closely with Mexican President Felipe Calderon to help local and federal police on the Mexican side.

Hinojosa says, "I can tell you that military forces are not trained to do the work of U.S. Border Patrol Agents and U.S. Customs Officers. Just loading a lot of military troops along the border would almost paralyze the crossing we enjoy."

Hinojosa said the cooperation between U.S. and Mexican government is the greatest effort ever against drug cartels.

Representatives from Border Patrol and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement will soon meet with Congress for an update on the violence along the border.

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