The Republican governor of Massachusetts has rescinded an offer to send a helicopter and two pilots to the U.S.-Mexico border to assist with drug interdiction efforts because of the Trump administration’s zero tolerance policy for illegal immigration, which has led immigrant minors to be separated from their parents and guardians.
Gov. Charlie Baker’s office announced Monday the state will not lend resources to help U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other guardsmen from Southwest border states as long as it continues the “cruel and inhumane” practice of separating children from guardians following apprehensions of illegal immigrant family units between ports of entry.
“I told the National Guard to hold steady and not go down to the border — period,’’ Baker said, according to a Boston Globe report. “So we won’t be supporting that initiative unless they change their policy.”
“Border security is important, no one disputes that. But separating kids from their families is not,’’ he added. “They should change their policy. I’m hopeful with the voices that are coming out at this point and making that case that they’ll consider alternatives to deal with border security.”
Although Baker changed his mind on sending the helicopter, the level of support he had pledged to send was minimal compared to California, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, which have each deployed hundreds of troops.
Baker said this month he would approve a UH-72 Lakota helicopter and two military analysts to work with National Guard troops based in Arizona and New Mexico.
The Pentagon would have reimbursed Massachusetts for costs associated with the mission.
The Trump administration has defended the policy by saying illegal immigrants need to know that if they try entering the U.S., they will be prosecuted, which could lead to separation from their children when they are booked in jail. Officials have said U.S. citizens face the same risk when they commit crimes.
