States: Govt Not Doing Enough on Border Security

A delegation from border states told a congressional committee Thursday that the federal government is not adequately funding law enforcement agencies along the U.S.-Mexico border in order to secure it, the El Paso Times reported Friday.

County Judge Veronica told the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs that federal government has supported local law enforcement agencies through programs, funds, and grants. But funding has not grown along the border over the years to meet law enforcement's needs.

"The federal funds coming into my community are critical and are not enough," she said. Escobar also said the lack of federal support has caused property taxes to increase and law enforcement agencies to make operational cuts.

Sen. John McCain, who sits on the Senate committee warned about the dangers of the drug war in Mexico spilling over the border. He added that the National Guard's presence along the U.S.-Mexico border is "indispensable" and that it supplements the U.S. Border Patrol.