UPDATE - April 5, 2017: President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum to deploy National Guard troops to the southern border.
Details such as the number of troops, their length of deployment, where they will be deployed, and the cost of the operation are still being finalized.
"The security of the United States is imperiled by a drastic surge of illegal activity on the southern border," Trump said in the memo. He continued:
"During the administrations of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, the National Guard provided support for efforts to secure our southern border. The crisis at our southern border once again calls for the National Guard to help secure our border and protect our homeland."
Border crossings have been at historic lows, and a fall report by the Department of Homeland Security determined the border had never been more secure. However, DHS released statistics on Wednesday showing a sudden spike in attempted crossings in March.
Countable's original story appears below.
Trump Wants Military to Patrol Mexico Border
What’s the story?
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he wants to deploy the military to secure the U.S.-Mexico border until his proposed wall between the two nations is built.
“We’re going to be doing things militarily. Until we can have a wall and proper security, we’re going to be guarding our border with the military,” the president said during a news conference with Baltic presidents.
Federal law prohibits the use of active-duty service members for law enforcement within the U.S., unless they are specifically authorized by Congress.
The White House later clarified that Trump wants to mobilize the National Guard to confront “the growing influx of illegal immigration, drugs and violent gang members from Central America.”
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 illegal immigration.
What do you think?
Until the U.S. "can have a wall and proper security” should we guard “our border with 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.
