EL PASO, Texas -- The violence along our borders is catching the attention of lawmakers in Washington. They want to send reinforcement to the border to keep the violence in Mexico from spilling over.

A federal official familiar with the plans said that more than 90 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are being reassigned to the U.S.-Mexico border, and another 37 agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are also being deployed.

“In the Recovery Act, ATF is getting $10 million to fund more people and equipment, and to have gun trafficking groups throughout the border,” said Tom Crowley, an ATF special agent.

They'll be assisting anti-gunrunning teams in Las Cruces, McAllen, Brownsville and in other southern-border states. Officials want to crack down on weapons headed to Mexico.

“If we have a case in El Paso, and he's convicted, that investigation gives us so much information and intelligence that we can work jointly with the Mexican government as to know who's arming the drug cartel to hopefully prevent some of the violence,” said Crowley.

The drug war in Mexico has claimed more than 7,000 lives in the past 15 months. Even though it hasn’t spilled into the U.S., local law enforcement agencies along the border are getting stressed out, and the news that backup is on the way is reassuring.

“…like in Columbus, where they don't have a police force (anymore). The Luna County Sheriff's Department is doing a wonderful job, but their stressed to the limit,” said U.S. Rep. Harry Teague, D-New Mexico.

Teague is among nine lawmakers who filed the Border Reinforcement and Violence Reduction Act. The $379 million bill would increase funding for several law enforcement programs over a two-year period, and the money would be used to hire more officers.

Some of it will go toward enhancing cooperation between U.S. agents and Mexican agents. It will include helping Mexico train and equip law enforcement.

“I think anytime you have communication between leaders it makes it better for everyone,” said Teague.

Most of the bill focuses on preventing gun-trafficking. The bill would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate a comprehensive and strategic plan for the inspection of vehicles heading into Mexico.

The bill also provides a provision that would afford protections to law-abiding gun owners. Co-sponsors of the bill are Henry Cuellar, Texas; Bob Filner, California; Gene Green, Texas; Ruben Hinojosa, Texas; Silvestre Reyes, Texas; Chet Edwards, Texas; Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona; Raul Grijalva, Arizona; and Solomon Ortiz, Texas.

According to officials, El Paso is not in the plans, thus far.

Specific funding of the local and federal agencies are explained further below: $30 million over two years for expanded resources for the Project Gunrunner initiative of the ATF to identify, investigate, and prosecute firearms trafficking across the U.S.- Mexico border.

$30 million over two years for additional resources for the Operation Armas Cruzadas initiative of the ICE to identify, investigate, and prosecute firearms trafficking across the U.S.- Mexico border.

$300 million over two years to sheriffs departments and local police departments in counties on the border, including tribal police to hire, train and equip personnel; reimburse for costs incurred supporting border security efforts and to combat drug trafficking, human smuggling, destruction of private property, as well as detaining, housing, and transporting individuals who have entered the country illegally.

$19 million over two years for additional enhanced international cooperation by U.S. agents for missions in Mexico including training and equipment.

Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to coordinate with the heads of other relevant Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies along the border to develop a comprehensive and strategic plan for the inspection of vehicles heading into Mexico.

Have you or your family felt the effects of the violence in Mexico, or been caught in the crossfire? Tell us about your experiences, just comment below this story.