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 News from Around the Americas | June 2006 
National Guard Begins Border Rollout
 Reuters
| | Jose Bernabe Lugo Verdugo, 16, a migrant from the Mexican state of Sinaloa, holds a pamphlet detailing migrant's rights while he rests under a canopy of trees on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 behind a truck stop in the desert near San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. The first deployment of US National Guard was recently sent to the border area next to San Luis Rio Colorado and the tighten of border security is prompting migrant smugglers to increase their prices, with some asking for up to US$4,000 (3,172 euro), double the normal rate (AP/David Maung) |
The first 800 U.S. National Guard troops are taking up positions along the U.S-Mexico border, but will only support existing border patrol units, U.S. Defense Department officials said on Thursday.
The roll-out of the National Guard troops, whose numbers are expected to reach 6,000 by August 1, is part of a push by the federal government to stem the flow of illegal immigrants across the 2,000-mile (3,600-km) border.
About 50 percent of the troops will watch for illegal crossings and report any they see to the U.S. Border Patrol, said Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense Paul McHale at a press conference at Camp Mabry, headquarters of the Texas National Guard.
Within three weeks, the new troops will replace 581 Border Patrol agents currently in desk jobs, freeing them up to return to front-line law enforcement duties, McHale said.
The Guard also will help train some of the 6,000 new Border Patrol agents to be added under a $1.9 billion border security plan approved by Congress.
The National Guard deployment plan has angered many in Mexico, where critics fear the move will militarize the border that has long been a gateway for illegal aliens into the United States.
National Guard Bureau Chief Lt. General Steven Blum said the troops looking for illegal crossings will be armed but will be subject to "very strict" rules of engagement.
"They will not have offensive weapons," Blum said. "This is not a combat operation."
Another quarter of the National Guard will be used to build roads and metal barriers on the border, while the remaining troops will serve as intelligence analysts and in various command functions.
"We are not closing our border. We are trying to gain control of our borders," Blum said.
Texas already has a guard mission along its 1,200-mile (1,920-km) border with Mexico supporting the Border Patrol, according to Maj. Gen. Charles Rodriguez, Adjutant General of the Texas Military Forces. |
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