Out of Iraq and On the Border?

Maybe its time to get our troops out of Iraq and put them on the border and use them to enforce security at our nation's ports. It is a legitimate function of the military to protect the borders of our nation. If, as some have alleged, our borders are too porous to stop the flow of illegal immigrants, then the solution isn't to just throw up our hands and wail. The solution is to work to make our borders more secure.

According to the Mayor of Yuma, AZ, the use of National Guard troops on the border between Mexico and the United States has cut the number of illegal immigrants coming across at the Yuma area by 50%. He is basing this on the number of illegal immigrants that have been apprehended since the National Guard has been used compared to the number apprehended before the National Guard was used to patrol the border.

One criticism of the recent immigration bill is that the United States government hasn't been serious about border security. Opponents of the bill argue that until the Federal government becomes serious about border security, there shouldn't be changes to the legal status of illegal immigrants. Using the military to patrol the border counters that argument.

Not only should the military be used to patrol the border between Mexico and the United States, but it should also be used for port security in our country's seaports. Using the military to guarantee port security is a legitimate use of the military's power.

None of this can be done, however, as long as our troops are tied down in Iraq. We simply don't have the manpower. That's why some Democratic candidate should adopt the slogan: "Take the American Army out of Iraq and put it on the border."