A growing number of governors, including at least two Republicans, are vowing not to deploy National Guard troops and resources to help secure the southern border, citing the Trump administration’s zero tolerance policy for illegal border crossings that has led to children being separated from their parents.
On Monday, Democratic Govs. Andrew Cuomo of New York and John Hickenlooper of Colorado, as well as Republican Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, rebuked the administration’s new policy and said they would not commit state resources to assist with border security efforts along the U.S.-Mexico border.
They were joined Tuesday by Maryland’s Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, along with Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, and North Carolina Roy Cooper, all Democrats.
“Until this policy of separating children from their families has been rescinded, Maryland will not deploy any National Guard resources to the border,” Hogan tweeted. “Earlier this morning, I ordered our 4 crewmembers & helicopter to immediately return from where they were stationed in New Mexico.”
Until this policy of separating children from their families has been rescinded, Maryland will not deploy any National Guard resources to the border. Earlier this morning, I ordered our 4 crewmembers & helicopter to immediately return from where they were stationed in New Mexico. https://t.co/TEfkUXF7ZN
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) June 19, 2018
Northam, too, said he ordered a helicopter and four soldiers from the Virginia National Guard deployed to Arizona to return to the state until the Trump administration ends enforcement of the zero-tolerance policy.
“When Virginia deployed these resources to the border, we expected that they would play a role in preventing criminals, drug runners and other threats to our security from crossing into the United States — not supporting a policy of arresting families and separating children from their parents,” he said. “Let me be clear — we are ready to return and contribute to the real work of keeping our nation safe. But as long as the Trump administration continues to enforce this inhumane policy, Virginia will not devote any resource to border enforcement actions that could actively or tacitly support it.”
Cooper announced on Twitter he recalled three members of the North Carolina National Guard who were deployed to the border.
Raimondo said she has not yet been asked by the Trump administration to deploy members of the Rhode Island National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border, but would not do so if she was asked.
“Children should be with their families, not trapped in cages, sobbing and calling out for their parents. The administration’s immigration policy goes against everything we value as Rhode Islanders, as Americans and as decent people,” she said in a statement. “The president alone can end family separation. I’m standing with all good-hearted people in our nation and calling on President Trump to end this inhumane policy.”
Raimondo said the administration’s policy is “immoral, unjust, and un-American.”
Katie Waldman, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, said the administration is receiving support from numerous other governors.
“We are fortunate to have the support of many governors who care about national security, preventing entry of gang members, illegal drugs, and protecting the American worker,” she said.
The Trump administration implemented in the spring its new policy, under which those who illegally cross the border will be prosecuted.
As a result of the change, an increasing number of children are separated from their parents. Images and video released by the federal government show young immigrant children being held in metal enclosures and laying on mattresses placed on concrete floors.
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has defended the policy, saying family separations occurred during former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama’s administrations. She told reporters Monday that Congress needs to take action.
But the change has led to swift backlash from Democrats and Republicans alike.
Hickenlooper issued an executive order Monday prohibiting state agencies from committing resources for the purpose of separating children and parents solely because the families violated federal immigration laws.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s practice of separating children from their parents when arriving at the southern border is offensive to our core values as Coloradans and as a country,” the executive order read.
It’s unclear whether Colorado sent National Guard troops or equipment to the U.S.-Mexico border, though Hickenlooper in the past did not rule out doing so.
Baker, meanwhile, rescinded an offer to send a UH-72 Lakota helicopter and flight crew from the Massachusetts National Guard to the southern border to assist with drug interdiction efforts through September.
“Border security is important, no one disputes that. But separating kids from their families is not,” he said. “They should change their policy.”
It’s also unclear whether New York sent members of the National Guard to the border, but Cuomo said the state would not be “complicit in this ongoing human tragedy.”
“New York will not be party to this inhumane treatment of immigrant families,” he said in a statement. “We will not deploy National Guard to the border, and we will not be complicit in a political agenda that governors by fear and division.”
Responding to the actions of the governors, a Department of Homeland Security official said it’s “disappointing that these governors are seeing a flood of MS-13 gang members in their communities and have chosen not to help secure our nation from murderous gangs.”
President Trump signed in April a proclamation formally announcing his decision to send National Guard troops to the southwestern border.
