President Barack Obama has asked Congress for $3.7 billion in emergency funding to handle child migrants and curb illegal activities on the southern border, Nextgov reported Tuesday.Aliya Sternstein writes that President Obama requested the money to address an “urgent humanitarian situation” caused by the influx of unaccompanied minors who are crossing the border into the U.S. to escape regional violence and poverty.
“This funding would support a sustained border security surge through enhanced domestic enforcement, including air surveillance,” President Obama told House Speaker Rep. John Boehner in a letter obtained by Nextgov.
In addition, funds would boost manned and unmanned aerial operations against human traffickers and drug smugglers, according to Sternstein.
Nextgov reports the White House wants to add 16 drone operators and 16,526 flight hours to better secure the southern border.
