Governor Rick Perry is sending 1,000 National Guard troops to the border to aid in the surge of immigrants attempting to enter the U.S. from Mexico. Perry has accused the White House of not doing enough to solve the problem.
"I will not stand idly by while our citizens are under assault and little children from Central America are detained in squalor," Perry said.
Perry says the National Guard troops will be used to protect the border from drug cartel violence and being used as an entrance for human traffickers. Dubbed “Operation Strong Safety,” the National Guard troops are estimated to cost about $12 million a month. Here’s Outgoing Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst.
"It’s not only our right as Texans, it’s our responsibility to act independent of the federal government if the federal government fails to do the job that they’re required to do," Dewhurst said.
Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott expects the Federal Government will foot the bill for the troops. And he says he’ll sue if it doesn’t
"But we must be prepared to take legal action if that is the course that is necessary," Abbott said. "Texans are willing to put the boots on the ground but we expect Washington to foot the bill."
Texas congressman Joaquín Castro accused the governor of “militarizing the border,” saying humanitarian aid is needed, not soldiers. This morning the White House claimed that there are fewer children getting picked up at the border—only 150 were apprehended in the first two weeks of July. In June there were reportedly 355 a day.