Monday Gov. Rick Perry announced his intention to send up to 1,000 Texas National Guard troops to the border to assist with the surge in illegal migration.
Much attention has been paid to the Rio Grande Valley as a result of the nearly 60,000 unaccompanied minors that have crossed the border in the past nine months.
While several logistical details of the operation are still unknown, assisting in surveillance and law enforcement is the stated purpose, as well as the symbolism of their presence. Some have estimated the cost of such an operation in the tens of millions per week. The governor said he intends to recoup the cost of the operation from the federal government, but the state has a spotty record of such repayments.
What are border residents thinking and is the cost worth the symbolism?
Guests:
- Julián Aguilar, border and immigration reporter for the Texas Tribune
- Terri Burke, executive director of the ACLU of Texas
- Jim Harrington, director of the Texas Civil Rights Project
*This is the second segment in the July 24 edition of The Source, which airs at 3 p.m. on KSTX 89.1 FM. Audio for this segment will be posted by 5:30 p.m.
