Obama to slash National Guard force on U.S.-Mexico border

Washington Times

Blaming budget cuts, the Obama administration early next year will cut the number of National Guard troops patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border by at least half, according to a congressman who was briefed on the plan.

The National Guard said an announcement will be made by the White House “in the near future,” but Rep. Duncan Hunter, a California Republican who has learned of the plans, said slashing the deployment in half is the minimum number, and he said it will mean reshuffling the remaining troops along the nearly 2,000-mile border.

In California, that will mean going from 264 Guard troops down to just 14, he said...[Full Article]

Obama administration plans to pull back National Guard from much of the border

The Obama Administration plans to withdraw National Guard troops from the Texas, New Mexico and California borders by the end February under a new Southwest security plan, even as turmoil in Mexican border cities grows, according to documents obtained by The Washington Examiner.

A letter sent to various members of the Texas Congressional delegation from Texas' Gov. Rick Perry's office says, "In February, 2011, the Texas, New Mexico, and California National Guard forces that were deployed to the border in September, 2010, under President's Obama's Southwest Border Augmentation Plan, will have 30 days to complete a total draw down of forces."...

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National Guard troops deploy to border Wednesday

SACRAMENTO — California National Guard troops will take up their posts along the U.S.-Mexico border today, becoming the first to hit the ground in response to President Barack Obama’s directive to reinforce Border Patrol agents overwhelmed by drug smugglers and illegal immigrants.

They will be part of the first wave of California troops who will be deployed as they complete training. All 224 committed by the governor will be on the ground by Sept. 1, officials say.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to meet with some of the troops today and tour the border to mark official deployment.

In remarks prepared for the visit, Schwarzenegger will praise the troops and once again urge the president and Congress to set aside partisan differences to pass an immigration overhaul.

“These men and women will provide much-needed assistance to help secure our border, but it’s important to remember that this is only the beginning,” he says.

“We must find a permanent solution to our broken immigration system. We need the federal government to step up with even more manpower and funding and I will continue to push President Obama and Congress for action.”

He plans to laud not only the troops here — who volunteered for this duty — but the Guard in general.

“Our soldiers and airmen are true action heroes who respond to disasters at home and overseas,” according to his statement.

Brig. Gen. Mary Kight, who serves as adjutant general of the California National Guard, will join Schwarzenegger.

“The California National Guard is proud to be at the forefront of homeland security,” she says in remarks prepared for today. “Our soldiers and airmen bring a high level of civilian career expertise and military training to the mission that allows them to be a superb force multiplier to the Border Patrol.”

California’s troops will not be confined to the border. Some are likely to take up posts along routes used by smugglers of drugs and immigrants.

The troops will be armed, but are generally considered support personnel. They will call in U.S. Border Patrol agents when they spot suspicious activity...

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National Guard Troops Deploying to U.S.-Mexico Border August 1st

The Obama administration announced Monday that National Guard troops will begin to be deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border on August 1st "as part of the administration's unprecedented efforts to combat the transnational criminal organizations that smuggle weapons, cash and people" on the border.

President Obama said in May that up to 1,200 National Guard troops would be deployed to the border to provide support in the fight against illegal immigration and criminal activity along the border.

According to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense, the largest chunk of National Guard troops - 524 - are being deployed to Arizona, which has become the focus of the debate over immigration thanks to its controversial immigration law.

Federal officials said California and Texas are getting more than 200 troops each, while 72 are being deployed in New Mexico and 130 are "serving as command and control and other support."

The Obama administration says the troops will be in place for a year. They "will provide direct support to federal law enforcement officers and agents working in high-risk areas to disrupt criminal organizations seeking to move people and goods illegally across the Southwest border," according to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

According to the Associated Press, the troops will be fully deployed by September...

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