Guard Needs Funds for Border Protection

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A National Guard official says the Guard would need additional funds to send more troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Major Gen. Peter Aylward testified before a U.S. House Homeland Security subcommittee in Washington.

Outside the hearing, Aylward said $43 million would be needed through the end of the year.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has asked the federal government to send 1,000 troops to the border to help contain drug-related violence in Mexico.

Perry followed up the request for Guard members by writing Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano this week. He’s seeking help in identifying and deporting violent foreign offenders from the U.S.

Perry also:

— requested that Homeland Security provide state authorities with a list of all criminal immigrants released in Texas.

— urged Homeland Security to expand a program that lets jailers simultaneously check immigration and criminal records when taking a person’s fingerprints during booking.

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