Tran letter requests Bush’s help in border assistance

Assemblyman Van Tran organized 30 Republican Assemblymen to sign a letter calling on President Bush to continue funding National Guard troops assisting the Border Patrol at the state’s southern border.

About 1,200 National Guard troops have assisted California agents as part of Operation Jump Start since 2006, though that program’s federal funding will expire July 1.

Tran decided to organize the effort after leading a 20-person delegation from Orange County for a tour of the border, Tran’s Chief of Staff Paul Hegyi said.

The letter praises the efforts made by National Guard members, but says cutting funding for the program now would be premature and leave the border at risk.

“In light of these successes and the strong partnership forged between the U.S. Border Patrol and the California National Guard, we cannot afford to jeopardize the safety and security of our fellow Americans,” the letter reads.

— Chris Caesar