Only 900 troops at border so far, as California resists Trump's National Guard missio
Only 900 troops at border so far, as California resists Trump's National Guard mission
Todd J. Gillman, Washington Bureau Chief
15 hrs ago
WASHINGTON -- California has so far refused to provide National Guard troops, amid concerns they would be involved too closely with immigration enforcement, officials said Monday.
That puts a dent in a planned border surge ordered this month by President Donald Trump.
The nation's Border Patrol chief said the deployment will last until "operational control" is achieved -- a goal that could mean a lengthy if not indefinite deployment. Trump himself said he wants 2,000 to 4,000 troops until Congress provides funding to construct a border wall.
"The governor has made that choice.... We're grateful for the other border states for stepping up," said Ronald Vitiello, acting deputy commissioner of Customs and Border protection, and chief of the Border Patrol.
Pentagon and homeland security officials said Monday that California Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, has rejected requests for guard troops in the roles sought by the Border Patrol. He pledged last week to provide 400 troops on condition they not be used to support immigration enforcement.
California National Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Thomas Keegan called it "inaccurate" to say that Brown has rejected the request for troops. Rather, he said by email, the Trump administration has yet to respond to California's request for assurance the Guard would only be used to help fight transnational gangs, human trafficking, and smuggling of guns and drugs.
Brown is willing to order 400 troops to active duty on those conditions, as he wrote in a letter April 11 to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.
"But let's be crystal clear on the scope of this mission. This will not be a mission to build a new wall. It will not be a mission to round up women and children or detain people escaping violence and seeking a better life. And the California National Guard will not be enforcing federal immigration laws," Brown wrote. "Here are the facts: there is no massive wave of migrants pouring into California."
Vitiello said the Border Patrol is retooling its requests and indicated optimism that California might be willing to provide help with cargo inspections at border crossings -- a role that would keep them from public view and could reduce the chances of contact with people crossing illegally.
Operation Guardian Shield
According to federal officials, guardsmen deployed as part of the latest mission -- dubbed Operation Guardian Shield -- will help fix and maintain vehicles, aircraft and roads.
They'll replace Border Patrol personnel who clear brush, operate surveillance cameras and perform clerical work. They hope to have Guard units performing ground and aerial surveillance missions in all four border states. Texas Guard troops already do such work and Arizona's Guard said last week that it will also fill those roles.
"The California National Guard will not perform those missions," said Robert Salesses, a deputy assistant secretary of defense. "We are in continuing dialogue."
Roughly 900 troops have been deployed so far in response to Trump's request, Lt. Gen. Daniel Hokanson, vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, told reporters Monday: about 650 in Texas, 60 in New Mexico, and 250 in Arizona.
He emphasized that National Guard personnel will not perform any law enforcement function. Nor will they be placed in harm's way, a point echoed by Vitiello and Robert Salesses, a deputy assistant secretary of defense.
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/poli...ontrol-reached
