The Justice Department said yesterday that it will add 64 prosecutors in U.S. attorney's offices along the southwest border to better combat immigration offenses, human trafficking, drug smuggling and money laundering.

Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip, visiting law enforcement operations in Tucson, said the agency will spend $7 million for the new positions. The money will go to offices in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.

Justice has asked Congress for $100 million in its 2009 budget for additional attorneys, drug enforcement agents and deputy U.S. marshals on the southwest border.

Republicans have accused the Bush administration of not doing enough to protect the borders.

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