Border Expert: National Guard Provides False Sense of Security

Posted: Jul 21, 2014 6:37 PM
Updated: Jul 21, 2014 6:38 PM

BROWNSVILLE - A University of Texas at Brownsville border security expert says deploying National Guard troops to the region may not have the impact many are expecting.

Gov. Rick Perry on Monday ordered the deployment of 1,000 National Guard troops to the border.

Guadalupe Correa Cabrera said the National Guard may bring a false sense of security to many residents.

"The National Guard doesn't do much to solve a problem on the ground. They are not qualified to do many things, especially in regards to immigration," the UTB border security expert said.

President Obama deployed 1,200 National Guard troops to the border in 2010. The troops worked in intelligence-gathering and administrative duties.

"It's a perception of security. Institutionally speaking, the functions that they can accomplish are very minimal," Correa Cabrera said.

Only Border Patrol agents can make direct contact with people crossing illegally.

The National Guard will assist the Border Patrol in ways similar to what Texas Department of Public Safety troopers are doing now.

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