Seaoat, where is money going to come from for 20k more border agents and why not money for ICE agents? There are 5000 ICE agents in the entire US. The LA police department has 10000 cops, doesn't that seem odd?
It is a political bluff. I agree completely that is way too much money. I think we can secure the border with more technology, and maybe a few new people. I think far more important is the idea of gps visas......I really really like that idea because most of the illegals I know over stayed their visas.
The house does not want immigration reform, so they requested ridiculous security at the border demands which would be tied to the naturalization process. We need to tighten the border. Ronald Reagan got this right, what he did not get right was closing the damn door. Right now we are near zero infiltration, and some argue a net loss of illegal immigrants. Slight improvements without breaking the bank........but as certain as I believe in a path to citizenship with large fines.......we need the border secure........there is no way we can afford the expenditures which are being thrown around.....this is dilatory, and with Leahy throwing in the gay marriage consideration in the bill.....I am convinced the Democrats want to go into 2014 November with no immigration bill......they will blame the Republican House, but there is no Fricking way real conservatives are going to pass a 20 billion dollar a year increased budget line item.....will never happen....so to answer your question....bluffs and politics.