The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has requested 21,000 National Guard troops to aid in extensive interior immigration enforcement operations, a move that has raised concerns among military and law enforcement officials. This request, outlined in a May 9 document sent to the Pentagon, represents the first formal appeal by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for National Guard deployment for such activities. The request includes tasks such as searching for unaccompanied children in remote areas and transporting detained individuals between states.
Approximately 10,000 troops would focus on transporting detained individuals, with an additional 2,500 slated for detention support and 1,000 for administrative roles. The DHS also seeks up to 3,500 troops for operations targeting fugitives, surveillance, and rural interdictions. Critics, including some Democrats, express alarm at the prospect of military involvement in civilian law enforcement, fearing it could create a “police state.” A Defense official indicated that the request is undergoing evaluation, with some elements likely to be accepted while others may be rejected.
The troops would operate under Title 32 status, allowing them to perform law enforcement duties while remaining under state command, thus technically adhering to the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts federal military involvement in domestic law enforcement. Despite this legal framework, a National Guard member opposing the deployment of troops for such tasks voiced a desire to leave the service, indicating discord within the ranks regarding this development. Overall, the request has sparked significant debate about the role of military forces in immigration enforcement and broader civil liberties implications.
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