Colorado National Guard Supports Border Security

Gov. Bill Owens issued the following statement: "The men and women of the Colorado National Guard have a proud history of serving our state and nation. Hundreds presently are deployed in Iraq and hundreds more were ready at a moment's notice to assist with hurricane relief efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi last September. Here in Colorado, the Guard provides invaluable assistance during blizzards, wildfires and other disasters.

"I have been assured today by the leadership of the Guard that reasonable calls for assistance to help secure our borders can be fulfilled without compromising the Guard's responsibilities in Colorado or overseas. In fact, steps to increase border security will be beneficial to Colorado, hopefully decreasing the number of illegal immigrants coming into our state.

"The President's plan to ask the National Guard to help in this effort is appropriate. As we learn additional details in the coming days, I will be working with Guard commanders to develop a course of action.

"I have long taken the stance that the first step in addressing illegal immigration must be regaining control of our borders. Then, and only then, can we take the next logical step of creating a guest worker program, matching willing workers with available jobs."