National Guard Troops to be Deployed to Southwest Border August 1

On July 19, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Defense (DOD) announced deployments of 1,200 National Guard troops to assist border patrol agents along the Southwest border to begin on August 1. All 1,200 troops will be fully trained and stationed by the start of September, according to Gen. Craig McKinley, commander of the National Guard. This announcement follows the authorization of the troops by President Obama in May. 

During the year-long deployment the National Guard troops will “provide support for intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, and counternarcotics enforcement,” by looking for border smugglers as well as gathering intelligence. Although the troops will be armed, their weapons can only be used for self defense according to the limited rules of engagement. 

The deployments, which augment CBP and ICE resources and assets currently at the border, will be spread throughout the four Southwest border states, with:

• 224 in California
• 524 in Arizona
• 72 in New Mexico
• 250 in Texas
• 130 serving as command and control and other support.

Sources:

CNN, Officials: National Guard troops headed to border next month, July 19, 2010

Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Obama Administration Announces Aug. 1 National Guard Deployment to Support Federal Law Enforcement Along the Southwest Border, July 19, 2010