The President will speak to a prime time audience to discuss what has become a primary issue for the American people: Immigration reform. Mr. Bush is expected to announce the deployment of thousands of National Guardsmen to the U.S.-Mexico border. The White House says the troops will not be there to arrest illegal immigrants.
"But they will be helping surveil, build infrastructure, and meet other immediate needs while we build our border patrol forces," says Dan Bartlett White House Counselor.
The anticipated move is already receiving criticism even from some key republicans.
"We have stretched our military as thin as we have ever seen it in modern times. And what in the world are we talking about here?// That's not the role of our military, that's not the role of our National Guard," says Sen. Chuck Hagel R-NE
Others believe the decision is purely political. The President is making the announcement on the same day the senate takes up immigration reform legislation.
"My worry is that this is basically a political P-R move so that the White House can appease conservative Republicans that want a repressive immigration bill," stated Gov. Bill Richardson D-New Mexico
The President supports a broader immigration bill that includes a guest worker program, which would allow undocumented workers already in the U.S. to stay. The idea is favored by business owners, but many conservatives are asking for a much tougher approach.
The White House says about five-thousand Guardsmen would be deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border. Currently about 100 troops are serving there, helping with drug enforcement and other supporting roles.