Texas Gov. Rick Perry hopes feds will step up immigration enforcement

By: Dave Michaels/The Dallas Morning News

Texas Gov. Rick Perry today expressed optimism after meetings in Washington that Obama administration officials would increase federal commitments to secure the violence-plagued border with Mexico.

Perry has consistently criticized the federal government for what he calls its failure to enforce immigration laws and prevent rampant drug-related violence in Mexico from spilling over to border states.

But he struck a more conciliatory tone today, saying he had “a real good feeling” after a meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

“She’s, No. 1, a border governor that gets it,” Perry said of Napolitano, who previously served as governor of Arizona. “The border can be secured. It takes boots on the ground. It requires technology.”

Perry has called for the administration to use Predator drones, an unmanned aircraft, for border surveillance. He said Napolitano suggested the government could follow through on his request by June. Perry has blamed the Federal Aviation Administration for being slow to approve such flights.

The governor said he asked administration officials to send 3,000 National Guard troops to patrol the area – an increase over his previous request of 1,000.

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