By TODD J. GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News

WASHINGTON – The nation's new homeland security chief told Congress on Wednesday that she will study Texas Gov. Rick Perry's request for another thousand troops to guard the border. But she noted that violence from Mexico's drug war hasn't spilled north enough to trigger a security plan drawn up during the last administration.

"We do not want to militarize the border. But what help is he thinking they can provide? I look forward to talking with Governor Perry about that," Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, the former Arizona governor, told a House committee.

Perry called for an extra thousand troops to guard the border during a visit Tuesday to El Paso, saying he doesn't care if those slots are filled by soldiers or border patrol officers.

More than 6,000 people died last year in Mexico's drug war, nearly a third in Ciudad Juárez across from El Paso. Napolitano told lawmakers the 2009 death toll has already hit 1,000, a far higher count than officials have cited recently.

Last month, the Bush administration's homeland security secretary, Michael Chertoff, disclosed that he had drawn up contingency plans for a troop "surge" in case the violence escalated and spilled north.
Napolitano called security issues related to Mexico "one of the top priority items on my desk" and said she is evaluating the Chertoff-drafted contingency plan.

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, asked Napolitano directly about Perry's request for more troops, and he urged support for funding for more border guards and local sheriffs.

"The violence has increased," he said. "It is a state of war."
Napolitano said she wants more detail from Perry before responding directly to his request.

"Are there specific places he would like to see those troops placed as a backup to civilian law enforcement?" she asked.

Homeland security spokeswoman Amy Kudwa noted that the number of border patrol officers has doubled since 2001, to 18,000. She echoed concerns about the violence but said it hadn't triggered the surge plan.
"We're not seeing that same kind of violence here in the United States," she said.