California Gov. Jerry Brown agreed to deploy 400 National Guard troops to deal with border issues but with two conditions: they won’t enforce immigration laws, and they won’t help build a border wall.
Brown’s late Wednesday announcement followed a back-and-forth with the Department of Homeland Security about the precise mission of California’s National Guard Troops. Brown, a Democrat, made it clear the limitations he was putting on the troops.
“[T]he Governor’s order, issued today, specifies that the California National Guard will not enforce immigration laws or participate in the construction of any new border barrier,” said a statement released by Brown’s office. “The location of Guard personnel – and number specifically working in support of operations within the state, along the coast and at the U.S.-Mexico border – will continue to be dictated by the needs on the ground.”
Brown’s order said National Guard troops will:
- “Combat the non-linear threat of transnational crime that extends to areas of California beyond the U.S.-Mexico border;
- Disrupt transnational criminal gangs and human traffickers and illegal firearm and drug smugglers;
- Interdict illegal firearm and drug shipments crossing both directions of the U.S.-Mexico border and through coastal and offshore routes;
- Execute counterdrug and counter-narcoterrorism operations crossing both directions of the border and through coastal and offshore routes;
- Coordinate with federal officials to deploy personnel and equipment where needed to fulfill this mission;
- Coordinate with The Adjutant General of any other state as needed to fulfill this mission;
- Arm military personnel with issued military weapons during this mission only when you or your designee determine there is a mission requirement for doing so; and
- Ensure all California National Guard forces participating in this mission comply with the California National Guard’s Rules for the Use of Force.”
The order also specifically outlines what the troops won’t do.
“California National Guard service members shall not engage in any direct law enforcement role nor enforce immigration laws, arrest people for immigration law violations, guard people taken into custody for alleged immigration violations, or support immigration law enforcement activities,” it said. “California National Guard service members shall not participate in the construction of any new border barrier.”
“You shall decline missions that would compromise the state’s ability to respond to state emergencies, missions that would exceed the mission scope and limitations outlined above, or missions that do not meet a valid state and/or national security interest,” it added.
Acting Deputy Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Donald Vitello indicated in a Fox News interview Thursday morning that he can live with California’s restrictions.
“The restrictions on California are not that different than what we’re asking the Guard to do,” he said. “Look for aviation support, we’re looking to have them help watch sensor feeds and cameras for us, road maintenance, brush clearing, those are the kinds of things that will us do the mission better.”
President Trump asked California, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas to deploy troops to help control the border, and wants to have up to 4,000 troops help in that effort.
