The Texas National Guard soldiers now have been granted the authority to make immigration arrests and assist in detaining and deporting undocumented individuals under an agreement with the Trump administration. This agreement requires that such duties be carried out under the supervision and direction of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official. Governor Greg Abbott praised the agreement, stating that it will increase manpower for border security.
The National Guard members must maintain constant contact with a CBP official while exercising this new authority. This agreement marks a significant shift as the National Guard traditionally acts in a support role for border security efforts. This move by Texas could potentially face legal challenges according to Nayna Gupta of the American Immigration Council.
Former CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske expressed skepticism about the necessity of this agreement, considering the recent decrease in illegal border crossings. However, President Trump’s administration has been pushing for mass deportations and has taken several executive actions to tighten immigration policies.
Under this agreement, Texas will not be reimbursed for the costs associated with deploying National Guard troops for immigration-related activities. The move to deputize National Guard soldiers with arrest powers represents a departure from their traditional roles and could have significant implications for immigration enforcement efforts moving forward.
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