Thread: One thousand troops to be at border Thursday

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One thousand troops to be at border Thursday
Associated Press
June 14, 2006
SAN LUIS - More than 1,000 National Guard troops will be working at the U.S.-Mexico border by Thursday under President Bush's plan to free up immigration agents, high-ranking federal officials said Tuesday.

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Three hundred National Guard troops were already along the border, and the remaining 700 set to arrive by Thursday would be divided among the four southern border states, said Paul McHale, assistant defense secretary for Homeland Defense.

"We promised the American people that by mid-month, we'd have 800 troops on the border," McHale said. "Well, we're going to have over 1,000."

The total number of troops at the 2,000-mile border would rise to 2,500 by month's end and would meet Bush's goal of 6,000 by Aug. 1, McHale said.

McHale and the chief of the National Guard made the announcement about troops fulfilling their support role for immigration agents in a city that borders Mexico, standing in front of the corrugated metal fence that Utah troops began expanding last week.

"This is what the Border Patrol cannot do for itself, but what we can do for them and make them more efficient," said Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Blum greeted the Utah troops, slapping them on the back and handing them National Guard medallions in sly handshakes.

"They're truly America's treasure, and I'm proud to be their chief," Blum said. "They're keeping our nation safe."

Before the officials made the border tour, Guard members used machinery to lift the metal and weld it to fence posts. San Luis is part of the busiest Border Patrol station in the country.

Bush's plan calls for troops to perform support duties that would free up federal authorities for border security. They wouldn't perform significant law enforcement duties. The goal is to have the troops at the border until new Border Patrol agents are trained.

McHale said stationing Guard troops on the border is not militarization, although soldiers working in more dangerous areas would be allowed weapons.

"We are fortunate to have a friend and an ally in Mexico," McHale said. "It's neither our intent or a fact that we're militarizing the border. It is simply inaccurate."

The 55 Utah troops, who also have worked to improve a road and install lighting at a fortified stretch of border in San Luis, were the first National Guard members deployed under the plan.

Pfc. Thomas Carter, a 19-year-old Utah Guard member, was working on the fence Tuesday, shoving pins in place for support.

Working on the border is Carter's first deployment, which he said is exciting.

The toughest part of the job, he said, is Arizona's infamous weather.

"The heat is unbearable," he said. "I miss home. It's a whole lot cooler there."

He and the other Utah troops are scheduled to return home Saturday. After that, other Guard members will take over work on the fence, said staff Sgt. Douglas Mecham, who is in charge of overseeing the fence-building.

Earlier Tuesday, state officials said that 150 Arizona National Guard troops would begin arriving at the state's border with Mexico by Thursday.

The troops will mark the first wave of Arizona soldiers to work under Bush's plan. Another 150 Arizona troops will join them by the month's end, said Paul Aguirre, a spokesman for the Arizona National Guard.

The first wave of Arizona troops, who volunteered for the duty, prepared for their assignments Tuesday in Phoenix by completing paperwork.

"I would like to see the border patrol be able to do their job and achieve border security." said Pfc. Desi Hermosillo, who is among the first Arizona Guard members set for border duty under the plan.

The Arizona troops will perform monitor remote cameras, operate communications equipment and provide administrative support, Aguirre said.

"Thank you for taking time from your families and work," Gov. Janet Napolitano said in a conference call Tuesday with the troops who were preparing for their border assignments. "We need your help."

"We are fortunate to have a friend and an ally in Mexico,"

with friends like that, who needs enemies -- a nation that is a true "friend" and ally wouldn't send 10% of their population across the border "uninvited" nor would they allow terrorists to illegally enter either