Civic Register
| 10.25.18
Mattis Expected to Order 800 More Troops to Southern Border – Should Congress Authorize Them for Law Enforcement Within the U.S?
Vote to see how others feel about this issue
What’s the story?
- Defense Secretary James Mattis is expected to sign deployment orders as early as Thursday sending 800 or more troops to the border with Mexico to support Border Patrol.
- Mattis is responding to a request from President Donald Trump, who said earlier in the day that he was making good on his threat of “bringing out the military” to stop a caravan of Honduran migrants and asylum seekers trekking to the U.S. through Mexico.
- Trump and his fellow Republicans have tried to make the caravan – and immigration – a major issue ahead of the November 6 midterm elections.
- Immigrant rights activists have said the members of the caravan are fleeing poverty and violence.
What will the troops do?
- First, what they can't do: perform law enforcement duties. That would be a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of active-duty service members for law enforcement within the U.S.—unless they are specifically authorized by Congress.
- Officials have told various media outlets that the troops will provide logistical support to Border Patrol, including vehicles, tents, equipment, and medical support.
Is there precedent for this action?
- In 2006, President George W. Bush deployed National Guard troops to the southern border.
- In 2010, President Barack Obama sent nearly 1,200 National Guard troops to combat an increase in drug smuggling and unauthorized immigration.
- In April 2017, President Trump signed a memorandum to deploy National Guard troops to the southern border. 2,000 National Guard troops are currently assisting at the border under this previous Pentagon arrangement.
What do you think?
Is the caravan a “national emergency”? Until the U.S. can “stop people at the border” should Trump bring in the military? Should Congress authorize the use of active-duty service members to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.
—Josh Herman
(Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com / Brad Greeff)
The Latest
-
IT: Battles between students and police intensify, and... 💻 Should we regulate AI access to our private data?Welcome to Thursday, May 2nd, listeners... The battle between protesters and police intensifies on college campuses across the read more...
-
Should U.S. Implement Laws Protecting Private Data from AI Access?Artificial intelligence is rapidly integrating into our everyday lives, transforming the way we work, live, and interact with read more... Artificial Intelligence
-
Protests Grow Nationwide as Students Demand Divestment From IsraelUpdated May 1, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EST The battle between protesters and police has intensified on college campuses across the read more... Advocacy
-
IT: Rumors spread about ICC charging Israel with war crimes, and... Should states disqualify Trump?Welcome to Tuesday, April 30th, friends... Rumors spread that the International Criminal Court could issue arrest warrants for read more...