National Guard Mobilized to Border

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is mobilizing California National Guard members as part of a federal effort to deter drug trafficking and illegal immigration along the border with Mexico.

His order on Friday supports President Barack Obama's plan to have 1,200 National Guard troops support federal border protection, customs and immigration agents.

Obama asked California to deploy 224 Guard members for as long as a year.

It's the second time Schwarzenegger has ordered Guard members to the border. He backed a similar federal effort in June 2006.

The latest move comes amid a national debate over an Arizona law that directs police to conduct immigration checks when they are questioning people about possible legal violations. There must be a "reasonable suspicion" the person is in the country illegally.

A new poll finds Californians are nearly evenly divided over Arizona's illegal immigration law.

The Field Poll released Friday says 49 percent of registered voters support it, while 45 percent are opposed.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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