Napolitano says new budget may ease border impact

HOUSTON -- Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says a new congressional budget should ease the need to furlough or cut overtime hours for border agents.

Napolitano said Thursday after meeting with Houston law enforcement officials and business leaders the agency still is reviewing the numbers but it appears security will "get back to where we were before sequestration." Later Thursday, she issued a statement saying the number of border agents should be back to normal with the 2014 fiscal budget.

Napolitano was in Houston discussing immigration reform. She also visited the Texas border town of McAllen. On Friday, she heads to Tucson, Ariz.

The National ICE Council, which represents some 7,600 Immigration and Customs Enforcement staff, criticized Napolitano for not discussing reforms with them.

Congress hopes to tackle immigration reform this month.