EXTENDED COVERAGE: The eyes of Texas and the nation were on Austin as President Barack Obama visited the Capital City.

Air Force One touched down at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport around 11:45 a.m. Monday, about 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, state Sens. Kirk Watson and Mark Strama were on the tarmac to greet the president.

President Obama first met with Gov. Rick Perry, who requested the meeting to discuss border security and deliver a letter to Obama requesting more federal resources go into border security enforcement.

The Senate has approved a bill to allocate about $600 million toward beefing up the border, which would include about 1,500 enforcement guards and would raise border security spending by 10 percent over border security levels.

The House is expected to look at the bill this week.

News 8's Ashely Porter explains more in the video below.

After speaking with Perry, the president attended a fundraiser at the Four Seasons. Some paid thousands of dollars to attend the event.

The White House is also trying to draw attention to the official business on Obama's agenda in Texas, a speech underscoring the president's higher education agenda.

President Obama spoke at the University of Texas to remind people about the steps he's taken with the Democratic-led Congress to funnel more money to colleges.

In the video below, News 8's Ashley Porter explains how President Obama is addressing the issues facing students and higher education institutions.

At UT, students began lining up at about 9 a.m. to get a good seat for the president's speech. Students we spoke to said they were interested to hear what the president had to say about education and how it might affect their futures.

News 8's political reporter Karina Kling has a preview of what's happening today on the UT campus.

People were seen gathering early along the roadside where the president’s motorcade was expected to travel.

News 8's Jenna Hiller caught up with a few of people who began lining up early. For most, hours in the sun waiting for a glimpse of the presidential motorcade was all about adding a memory to their personal history book.

Expect a few traffic delays as the City of Austin prepares for the president’s visit. Be sure to check the bus schedule. Vehicles may be towed from San Jacinto Boulevard, 21st Street and Speedway Street near the university. You can also expect extra delays around ABIA.

After speaking at UT, Obama is expected to fly to Dallas for another fundraiser.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.