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‘Eyes and ears': Past Guard border deployments offer clues
SAN DIEGO (AP) ‐ The U.S. National Guard faces a vastly different environment than it did on its last two deployments to the border with Mexico, with far fewer illegal crossings and more Central Americans than Mexicans coming.Still, its role is shaping up much the same: moving more Border Patrol agents from behind-the-scenes jobs to the front lines. President Donald Trump told reporters Thursday that he wants to send between 2,000 and 4,000 National Guard members to the U.S.-Mexico border to help federal officials fight illegal immigration and drug trafficking. That estimate is lower than the 6,400 Guard members that former President George Bush sent to the border. From 2006 to 2008, the Guard fixed vehicles, maintained roads, repaired fences and performed ground surveillance. Its second mission in 2010 and 2011 involved more aerial surveillance and intelligence work. People involved in both operations say the Guard was the Border Patrol’s "eyes and ears." Federal law limits military involvement in civilian law enforcement, creating a supporting role for the Guard. The Trump administration and governors haven’t said precisely what the troops will do, but Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen anticipates vehicle maintenance and aerial surveillance will be in the mix. Posted by: Besoeker 2018-04-07 |
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