The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) formally requested the deployment of 20,000 National Guard members to support immigration raid operations within the country, a federal official confirmed.
In statements to the AP agency on condition of anonymity, the official said that the request is currently under review by the Department of Defense and represents a significant step in President Donald Trump's immigration policy, who has insisted on strengthening the enforcement of immigration laws as part of his campaign against what he has termed an immigration “invasion.”
"The safety of American citizens is the top priority," assured Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the DHS.
"We will use all the tools and resources available to fulfill the president's mandate to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens," he stated.
Unlike previous deployments focused on the border with Mexico, these new personnel would come from various states and would be assigned to operations for deportation on U.S. territory, significantly increasing the military presence in civilian contexts.
The nature of the deployment will partly depend on whether the soldiers remain under state or federal authority.
The Posse Comitatus Act prohibits federal troops from performing law enforcement duties within the country, but units under the control of state governors could directly participate in arrests and raids.
Currently, approximately 10,000 personnel are already operating at the southern border between Mexico and the United States, where they carry out surveillance tasks, reinforce the wall, and provide logistical support to border agents.
However, they have not yet been authorized to carry out arrests directly.
The DHS request would involve doubling the operational workforce of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has about 20,000 employees, of which approximately 6,000 agents are directly involved in the arrests and removals of individuals without legal status in the country.
Legal experts and human rights advocates have expressed concern over a measure that could increase the militarization of immigration policies and lead to tensions with state governments that oppose collaborating with the federal strategy.
In areas like New Mexico, where a new militarized zone has been established, some federal courts have begun to dismiss charges against migrants, arguing that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the accused knew they were entering a restricted area.
The newspaper The New York Times was the first to report this request, which occurs in the context of a series of executive orders signed by Trump to intensify the detention and deportation of irregular migrants.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deployment of the National Guard and Trump's Immigration Policies
Why is DHS requesting the deployment of the National Guard for immigration raids?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has requested the deployment of 20,000 National Guard members to support immigration raids in the United States. This measure aims to strengthen the enforcement of immigration laws as part of President Donald Trump's policy, who has described illegal immigration as an "invasion." The intention is to double the operational force of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants in the country.
What are the legal implications of using the National Guard in immigration raids?
The use of the National Guard in immigration raids could face legal challenges due to the Posse Comitatus Act. This law prohibits federal troops from exercising law enforcement functions within the country. However, units under the control of state governors could directly participate in arrests and raids. Furthermore, the use of the National Guard for these tasks could create tensions with state governments that disagree with federal policy.
What humanitarian impact could the military deployment for immigration raids have?
The military deployment for immigration raids could have serious humanitarian implications. The measure has raised concerns among human rights advocates about the militarization of immigration policies and the possible increase in family separations. Furthermore, in areas where new militarized zones have been established, some courts have dismissed charges against migrants, arguing that there was insufficient evidence that the accused knew they were entering a restricted area.
What has been the response of state governors to Trump's plan for mass deportations?
The response of the state governors to the mass deportation plan has been mixed. A total of 26 Republican governors have shown their support, stating they are willing to use tools such as state police or the National Guard to assist President Trump. On the other hand, some Democratic governors have expressed their willingness to collaborate in the deportation of criminals, but reject the use of the National Guard for widespread raids.
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