After President Obama deployed 1,200 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, many that had called for increased surveillance of the area cheered, However, critics of the move have said having the troops there is inefficient and expensive.
The majority of criticism against the deployment are those saying that Homeland Security has yet to prove that the troops are having an cost-worthy impact on national security, while giving the appearance that the border is militarized.
Since the National Guard troops were sent to the border, they have helped Border Patrol capture over 25,000 unauthorized immigrants at a cost of $160 million.
At about $6,271 per apprehended immigrant, some tax payers have begun to look at the deployment as an unnecessary use of money, especially since they are mainly used as “scouts” rather , while others say a price cannot be put on security.
The deployment of the troops, Operation Phalanx, came after the president was pressured by anti-illegal immigration advocates who worried that Mexico’s drug war was on the verge of spilling into the U.S.
Still, with the effectiveness of the National Guard at the border being called into question, one has to wonder what will be deemed more important – securing the border at great expense, or using that money to promote something to stimulate the troubled economy?
