Congressman Ben Quayle (R-AZ) released the following statement Tuesday regarding the Obama Administration's decision to reduce the number of National Guard Troops at the southern border from 1200 to 300:
"The Obama Administration's drawdown makes securing our southern border more difficult to achieve. While there has been a modest decline in the number of illegal immigrant apprehensions this year, the decrease is driven by economic conditions, not major advancements in border security as the Administration is claiming. We have a long way to go to secure our border. Cartel-related violence continues to pose a serious threat to American citizensliving near the border. According to a recent report by the Government Accountability Office, only 44 percent of the southwest border is under "operational control.'
"Securing our southern border must be a top priority of the U.S. government. It is disappointing that the Obama Administration does not agree."