More Border Patrol, but no money

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Congress has quietly approved the biggest build-up of Border Patrol agents in the history of the nation – but allocated no money to fund the positions.

While much of the nation's attention was focused on the intelligence-reform bill and whether it would include provisions to forbid illegal aliens from getting driver's licenses, both houses approved legislation that would nearly double the size of the border-guard positions over the next five years.

The law also would add some 4,000 more immigration and customs agents to the government payroll.

But for those hoping to see this legislation cutting down on illegal immigration any time soon, there's bound to be disappointment. It included no money for either action.

If additional money is found to control immigration, the law also provides for an increase of the number of beds for the detention of illegal aliens.