Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has called on Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to send National Guard troops to the "southern border region" between the U.S. and Mexico, according to a report by CBSNews.com.

In a letter to Napolitano, McCain points to "the continued and apparently growing violence" along the border. He notes the death of an Arizona rancher who was shot to death on his property and writes that the federal government should act to "curb this violence and protect its citizens from criminals coming across the border from Mexico."

"The people of Arizona and the United States demand and deserve secure borders," he added. "I hope that you will take a personal interest in ensuring that Arizonans can feel safe and protected on their own property and not live in fear of the increasing violence along the border."

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