President Bush Deploys 6,000 National Guard Troops to US-Mexico Border Amid Immigration Crisis

US President George W. Bush has ordered 6,000 National Guard troops to patrol the US-Mexico border to prevent illegal immigration, as part of a billion-dollar initiative to address the growing crisis. The deployment is aimed at securing remote areas in Texas and Arizona where migrants often cross into the US. The move comes as Mr. Bush prepares to announce a comprehensive immigration reform plan, which includes a "guest worker" scheme offering low-skilled immigrants the right to work and potentially earn citizenship.

Key Takeaways:

• 6,000 National Guard troops have been deployed to the US-Mexico border to prevent illegal immigration.
• The deployment is part of a billion-dollar drive to solve the immigration crisis.
• The troops will patrol remote areas in Texas and Arizona where migrants often cross into the US.
• The number of Border Patrol Guards will double from 12,000 to 24,000 over the next five years.
• President Bush wants to expand English language classes and make English compulsory for all school children.
• The great majority of illegal immigrants to the US are Hispanic from Central or South America.

Statistics:

• 6,000 National Guard troops have been deployed to the US-Mexico border.
• The number of Border Patrol Guards will increase from 12,000 to 24,000 over the next five years.
• 12 million undocumented immigrants are living in the US.
• The US economy relies on the cheap labor of undocumented immigrants.

Sources:

• [Associated Press. "Bush orders 6,000 National Guard troops to US-Mexico border".]
• [BBC News. "US plans to tackle immigration crisis".]