The Latest: Ex-New Mexico governor criticizes border plan

FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2012 file photo, U.S. Border Patrol agents patrol the border fence in Naco, Ariz. National guard contingents in U.S. states that border Mexico say they are waiting for guidance from Washington to determine what they will do following President Donald Trump’s proclamation directing deployment to fight illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Governors of the border states of Arizona and New Mexico have welcomed deployment of the Guard along the southwest border as a matter of public safety. (Ross D. Franklin, file/Associated Press)

By Associated Press
April 6 at 5:07 PM

SALEM, Ore. — The Latest on President Donald Trump’s plan to send up to 4,000 National Guard members to the Mexico border to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking (all times local):


1:50 p.m.

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson sent National Guard units to the Mexican border in 2010 to combat drugs and violence, but the Democrat says President Donald Trump’s pledge to send troops for immigration control is a “terrible idea.”Richardson told The Associated Press Friday that he had used troops in a targeted manner and at a time of emergency, versus what he described as Trump’s politically-based motivations meant to boost support for the Republican’s proposed border wall.

Richardson says the deployment he ordered as governor involved a small number of troops and lasted “just for a few days.”


News reports at the time said Richardson deployed 82 members of the New Mexico National Guard for what was scheduled to be a 10-month deployment.


Richardson says the move was effective in restoring calm along the U.S.-Mexican border and that he had worked with his counterpart at the time in the Mexican state of Chihuahua as part of a cross-border partnership aimed against drug violence.

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