Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on the Obama Administration's Plan to Combat Mexican Drug Cartels

“Texas is pleased the Administration recognizes that securing the U.S.-Mexico border is vitally important to public safety and homeland security. 

“While we appreciate the additional investigative resources, what we really need are more border patrol agents and officers at the bridges to conduct increased northbound and southbound inspections, as well as additional funding for local law enforcement along the border to deny Mexican drug cartels access to the United States.

“I have asked the Administration for an immediate deployment of 1,000 additional National Guard troops to support civilian law enforcement and border patrol agents and remain hopeful that we will get the resources we need.  The state of Texas will continue to fill in the gaps until the federal government provides adequate resources necessary to secure our border and protect our citizens from those seeking to do us harm.”

Texas is currently spending $110 million to secure the Texas-Mexico border and the governor has requested an additional $135 million from the Texas Legislature to continue these border security efforts and combat transnational gangs.

Note: Attached is the letter Gov. Perry sent to Secretary Napolitano on February 26, requesting National Guard troops.