N.M. Gov. orders NM, AR, KS, KY, NH, SC, WI National Guard troops off her border
Governor withdraws most New Mexico National Guard from border
Sun-News report Published 6:17 p.m. MT Feb. 5, 2019
https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2...unds&auto=webpRecently inaugurated New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Democrat, toured federal border facilities in Sunland Park and Santa Teresa on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, holding a news conference afterward at the New Mexico Border Authority. Lujan Grisham says she doesn't have enough data yet to determine whether to keep in place or end the deployment of about 120 members of the National Guard assigned to the state's southern border to assist federal border agents. Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, left, also participated in the tour. (Photo: Diana Alba Soular /Sun-News)
SANTA FE - New Mexico's governor, arguing there is not an "overwhelming national security crisis," withdrew the majority of National Guard troops deployed at the state's southern border.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday also
announced she would be sending more help to Hidalgo County — one of the state's three border counties — to assist with humanitarian needs.
“I reject the federal contention that there exists an overwhelming national security crisis at the southern border, along which are some of the safest communities in the country," the governor stated in a news release sent hours before President Donald's Trump's scheduled State of the Union. "However, I recognize and appreciate the legitimate concerns of residents and officials in southwestern New Mexico, particularly Hidalgo County, who have asked for our assistance, as migrants and asylum-seekers continue to appear at their doorstep."
More: Residents of Hachita, in southwest New Mexico, vexed by surge of migrants
Former Gov. Susana Martinez sent 200 National Guard troops to the border in April 2018 at the request of President Trump. Of the original 200, 118 troops remain.
Some troops are from Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. Lujan Grisham ordered the troops in those states to return immediately.
It's not clear how many troops will remain on the New Mexico border after Lujan Grisham's orders.
Lujan Grisham also directed state National Guard leadership to assess whether an "augmented presence" in the southwestern part of the state is needed.
This video shows some in a group of 247 migrants crossing from Mexico into the United States, in southwestern New Mexico, on Jan. 16, 2019. United State Border Patrol, Las Cruces Sun-News
In recent months, multiple groups of 100-plus migrants have been entering the United States at the remote Antelope Wells Port of Entry. The large groups of families, women and children crossing the border have stressed border agents and medical facilities in the area.
More: Southern New Mexico medical facilities strained to meet the needs of migrants
The governor also directed the Department of Public Safety to temporarily deploy an group of six New Mexico State Police officers to assist the day-to-day operations of local law enforcement in Hidalgo County. Lujan Grisham said the directive comes at the request of Hidalgo County Manager Tisha Green.
Green sent a letter to state and federal lawmakers, dated Dec. 26, 2018, asking for medical, law enforcement and sanitation resources.
"Our citizens who live in Hidalgo County near the border, more specifically in Antelope Wells, are not safe any longer," the letter stated. "They encounter up to 30 or more immigrants daily in their own yards."
Green later told the Sun-News that Hidalgo County has only four certified sheriff’s deputies, and a limited budget, and said the county was going to request funding to be able to hire more officers.
https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2...unds&auto=webpLt. Gov. Howie Morales meets with Border Patrol agents Friday during a trip to Lordsburg. Morales is gathering information for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is deciding whether to keep National Guard troops at the border. (Photo: Photo contributed)
Lujan Grisham, who was sworn into office Jan. 1, visited Santa Teresa — a border community in Doña Ana County — and surrounding facilities on Jan. 11. A week later, Lt. Gov. Howie Morales toured border stations in the southwestern parts of the state.
The trips were in part to assess the viability of National Guard troops on the border.
In the news release sent Tuesday, Lujan Grisham reiterated she didn't think there was a crisis at the border.
“... New Mexico will not take part in the president’s charade of border fear-mongering by misusing our diligent National Guard troops," she stated. "We will deploy our men and women in uniform only where there is a need, and where their presence can make a genuine difference in ensuring public safety and an easing of the humanitarian concerns at our southern border.”
https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/new...er/2783623002/
