Texas Border Business
Austin, Texas – On Monday, Governor Greg Abbott announced his commitment of additional National Guard troops to the Texas-Mexico border in support of the Trump Administration’s call to enhance security along the U.S. border.
“Texas is preparing to increase our National Guard presence to more than 1,000 along our southern border,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “The number of people coming across the border has increased more than 200 percent over this time last year. The addition of National Guard on the border has proven to have a meaningful impact to reduce the flow of people and illegal activities coming across the border.”
On April 6, 2018, the Texas National Guard activated 250 personnel to support the Department of Homeland Security missions and begin the planning for follow-on forces. This week an additional 300 service members are reporting to armories for required processing and training, prior to being equipped for the mission. Beyond that the Texas National Guard anticipates a growth of approximately 300 personnel each week until all Department of Homeland Security requirements are met.
National Guard units will assist the DHS by executing missions such as surveillance, operating detection systems, providing mobile communications, augmenting border-related intelligence analysis efforts, and providing aviation assets, transportation, training and other vital missions.
“The Texas National Guard is no stranger to the border and has served along the Texas-Mexico border in support of state and federal partner agencies for decades,” said Brig. Gen. Tracy Norris, Deputy Adjutant General-Army and Commander of the Texas Army National Guard. “We are a force that is ready, and trained with a first-hand knowledge of this mission, the operating area, and a long-standing relationship with federal, state and local law enforcement.”
Service members assigned to the border mission are operating in a title 32 duty status and remain under the control of the Governor. This support of the National Guard will free up Border Patrol agents, allowing them to focus their law enforcement efforts on securing the border against all threats.
While working to enhance border security and partner with federal and state agencies, the Texas National Guard stands ready to support the state and nation both at home and abroad.
“We understand any activation or mobilization creates challenges for service members and their families and want to thank the family members and their employers of our Texas Guardsmen for their continued support, which allows us to respond quickly to defend our state and nation,” said Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, the Adjutant General of Texas.
