DHS has announced that National Guard will begin deploying along the Southwest border to support federal law enforcement with intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, and counter-narcotics enforcement.
It said the troops would provide support for one year as part of a crackdown on smuggling and cartel violence while Customs and Border Protection continues to recruit and train additional officers and agents to serve on the Southwest border.
President Obama authorized the deployment of an additional 1,200 troops to the Southwest border in May to bolster CBP and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement under a “request for assistance” from DHS. Troops will go to California, 224, Arizona, 524, New Mexico, 72, and Texas, 250, while 130 are to serve in command and control and other support.
National Guard Members from Southwest border-states will soon begin training and integration planning.
