The Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, has reportedly approached the Pentagon with a request for assistance in the form of more than 20,000 National Guard troops. This request is related to efforts in immigration enforcement and border security during President Donald Trump’s administration.
According to reliable sources, including The New York Times, Pentagon attorneys are currently reviewing the request, which is tied to “interior immigration enforcement.” It remains uncertain what specific role the National Guard members would play, or whether states would need to give their consent for the execution of the plan.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security is quoted as saying, ‘DHS requested 20,000 National Guard members to help carry out the President’s mandate from the American people to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens.’ She further stated that DHS would utilize all tools and resources at its disposal to expel criminal illegal aliens from the country, placing the safety of American citizens as the primary concern.
Turning now to the broader implications, it is important to note that the National Guard has historically been utilized in domestic support roles for immigration enforcement at the border. However, if this request is approved, it could mark the first time National Guard troops are employed in such a wide-reaching effort against illegal immigration within the United States.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, reports indicate that the Trump administration has drawn officers from other federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, in order to bolster its ranks. This step has involved the recruitment of approximately 2,000 agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The administration has also reportedly sought help from local law enforcement, establishing agreements that would enable local police officers to make immigration arrests in cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This cooperation has already seen results, with law enforcement officials in Florida assisting ICE in an operation resulting in the arrest of over 1,000 illegal immigrants.
Despite these efforts, the administration faces significant challenges in locating and deporting the millions of illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration. In an attempt to address this, the DHS announced last week an initiative offering illegal immigrants $1,000 to voluntarily return to their home countries, along with travel assistance.
The significance of this should not be overlooked. However, questions remain about the efficacy and long-term implications of these strategies, and the role of the National Guard in immigration enforcement.