MONTGOMERY - Alabama has agreed to send National Guard troops to the U.S. - Mexican border if requested. Gov. Bob Riley authorized the use of the troops last weekend shortly before he left on a trade trip.
Alabama joins 28 other states that have agreed to send troops in support roles to reinforce the U.S. Border Patrol. Though no deployments have been requested so far, the state could send from 100 to 500 troops to the border, said Riley spokesman Jeff Emerson. The federal government will pay for the troops and the troops will be able to return to the state in case of a natural disaster. |