The National Guard will deploy up to 4,000 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border beginning Friday night, according to a newly signed memo from Defense Secretary James Mattis after President Trump called for troops to shore up the area until his border wall is built.
The memo authorizes the use of Title 32 and Defense Department dollars for up to 4,000 National Guard personnel to support the Department of Homeland Security's "Southern border security mission while under the command and control of their respective governors through September 30, 2018.".
National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Joseph Lengyel wrote on Twitter that up to 500 guardsmen are now moving to the border along with vehicles, helicopters and other equipment.
"Always Ready, Always There! Moving up to 500 #NationalGuard troops immediately on the SW border security mission. Vehicles, equipment & helicopters on the way tonight.," Lengyel wrote.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry sent the Guard to the border to help secure it in 2014, and 100 soldiers remain there from that effort.
The deployment of a potential 4,000 guardsmen to the border is lower than the 6,000 Guard troops former President George W. Bush sent in 2006 but higher than the 1,200 former President Barack Obama sent in 2010.
If O&M funds will be used to pay for the border deployment, Mattis only replied that the Pentagon is "Looking at how we can best provide the support" to DHS. "We'll figure it out. It will be consistent with law and the spirit of Congress. No problem."
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/382066-mattis-approves-sending-4000-national-guard-troops-to-border
The memo authorizes the use of Title 32 and Defense Department dollars for up to 4,000 National Guard personnel to support the Department of Homeland Security's "Southern border security mission while under the command and control of their respective governors through September 30, 2018.".
National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Joseph Lengyel wrote on Twitter that up to 500 guardsmen are now moving to the border along with vehicles, helicopters and other equipment.
"Always Ready, Always There! Moving up to 500 #NationalGuard troops immediately on the SW border security mission. Vehicles, equipment & helicopters on the way tonight.," Lengyel wrote.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry sent the Guard to the border to help secure it in 2014, and 100 soldiers remain there from that effort.
The deployment of a potential 4,000 guardsmen to the border is lower than the 6,000 Guard troops former President George W. Bush sent in 2006 but higher than the 1,200 former President Barack Obama sent in 2010.
If O&M funds will be used to pay for the border deployment, Mattis only replied that the Pentagon is "Looking at how we can best provide the support" to DHS. "We'll figure it out. It will be consistent with law and the spirit of Congress. No problem."
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/382066-mattis-approves-sending-4000-national-guard-troops-to-border
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