Huntsman to visit Utah troops along border
He'll travel to Yuma, Ariz., on Monday to thank Guardsmen
Huntsman was already scheduled to be in Arizona to attend a three-day meeting of the Western Governors' Association that begins Sunday. On Monday afternoon, he plans to head down to Yuma to spend an hour with the troops.
"Our men and women are working to help secure our border, and I am looking forward to meeting with them," Huntsman said in a statement. "The security of our borders must be our first and foremost focus."
The governor also said he wants "to express my sincere thanks to the troops for all of their hard work."
That's something the troops like to hear, said Maj. Hank McIntire, spokesman for the Utah National Guard.
"It means a great deal anytime your commander in chief goes to where you're performing your duty, looks you in the eye and shakes your hand. It means the world to you," McIntire said. "It gives the soldiers a chance to showcase what they're doing for the governor."
Some 55 soldiers of the 116th Construction Support Equipment Company, 489th Engineer Detachment and the 147th Engineer Battalion were deployed June 3 for two weeks of work with the U.S. Border Patrol.
Their job is to improve a dirt road, fix fencing and install wiring for new lighting along the border about 25 miles from Yuma. Guard troops are not being used for patrols or other law-enforcement duties.
They were among the first troops sent as part of President Bush's new Operation Jump Start, announced in May. The plan to send 6,000 troops to the border is intended to ease opposition to his proposed guest-worker program, aimed at illegal immigrants from Mexico.
Huntsman has taken the lead on the immigration issue with his fellow Western governors, putting together a resolution that included support for increased border enforcement that was endorsed by the WGA and sent along to Congress.
Immigration will be one of the topics discussed by the governors at their annual meeting in Sedona, and Huntsman is expected to offer an update on Mexican President Vicente Fox's recent visit to Utah.
Because Huntsman was already scheduled to be in Arizona, the governor decided to take the opportunity to see firsthand the troops in action at the border, said his spokesman, Mike Mower.
"Last year, Gov. Huntsman and other Western governors issued a call to action to the federal government in addressing the concerns about illegal immigration," Mower said. "His visit to the border on Monday will help demonstrate that progress is being made on this important issue and Utahns are playing a significant role."
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat who co-sponsored Huntsman's immigration resolution and who now heads the WGA, has already visited and thanked the Utah troops.
E-mail: lisa@desnews.com
Comments
- Logan canal breaks; people missing 3:58 p.m.
- Man's body found 3:47 p.m.
- 'Love advocates' plan 'kiss-in' 3:46 p.m.
- Many-splendored container garden 3:29 p.m.
- California's $26B deficit 3:25 p.m.
- Eat your squash and blossoms 3:21 p.m.
- Searchers shovel seeking giant worm 3:18 p.m.
- Crash kills Arizona woman 3:13 p.m.
- Lost crab pots 2:56 p.m.
- Lightning delays shuttle launch 2:54 p.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Jazz rookies quiet Thunder youngsters
- 10 years after the flood
- LDS seminary principal arrested
291 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
183 - 2 men cited on LDS plaza
143 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
140 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
124 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
99 - Fairness of BCS debated
83 - Letters: Single-payer system best
76 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
wow! i cant believe this! he was a great man and no one expected this. he...
Just another example of the skewed world of professional sports...true...
wow!! he lied to so many!!!!!!
I forgot what I was going to say. Let's go ride bikes!
I have had it up to here......next time I am voting for Prop Hate!
Everyone here blames the victim over the teacher in these cases...regardless...
"friend says..." dang typos.
LDS institutions will not crack down more on this issue...they tend to...
In economic bad times if your neighbor is out of a job, it's a recession. If...
Nice Turns, Tatiana! Nice behind too ;)


You can be the first to comment on this story.