The governors of Arizona and Texas announced on Friday they would deploy National Guard members to the U.S.-Mexico border after President Trump's call for more security on the border. Trump told reporters on Thursday that he wanted to send between 2,000 and 4,000 National Guard members to the border as part of the Administration's plan to fight illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said he would send 150 National Guard members next week, while the Texas Military Department, which oversees the Texas National Guard, said it would also send 150 National Guardsmen to the border. Brig. Gen. Tracy Norris, assistant deputy adjutant general of the Texas Military Department made the announcement at a press conference Friday.
"The Texas National Guard is preparing to immediately deploy with supporting aircraft, vehicles and equipment to the Texas-Mexico border," Norris said.
The 150 Texas Guardsman will join another 100 who are already on the border supporting previous security operations.
On Friday, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis signed a memo that authorized the potential call-up of up to 4,000 National Guardsman, but it is unclear how many would be mobilized to support the border mission.
"Tonight, National Guard troops are deploying to support border security missions along the U.S. southwest border. Working closely with the border governors, the Department of Homeland Security identified security vulnerabilities that could be addressed by the National Guard. We appreciate the governors' support and are dedicated to working with them to secure the national borders.
"Together, the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense are committed to using every lever of power to support the men and women of law enforcement defending our nation's sovereignty and protecting the American people," Mattis and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen said in a joint statement.
Meanwhile, California has so far demurred on whether they will deploy the National Guard to their border with Mexico.