DHS Requests Deployment of 20,000 National Guard Troops

By: Dr. Kirkpatrick Williams

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has formally requested the deployment of 20,000 National Guard troops to assist in immigration enforcement operations across the United States. This request is currently under review by the Department of Defense.

According to DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, the initiative aims to support President Donald Trump's directive to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records. McLaughlin emphasized the department's commitment to utilizing all available resources to ensure the safety of American citizens.

Unlike previous deployments concentrated along the southern border, the proposed use of National Guard units would extend into the nation's interior. The legal framework for such deployments depends on whether the troops operate under state authority or federal orders. Under the Posse Comitatus Act, federal troops are restricted from participating in domestic law enforcement activities, whereas state-controlled National Guard units may have broader authority in this context.

Currently, approximately 10,000 troops are stationed at the U.S.-Mexico border, primarily providing logistical support. The addition of 20,000 National Guard members would significantly bolster Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations, which presently employs around 7,700 personnel.

The rationale for submitting the request to the Department of Defense, rather than directly to state governments, has not been clarified. The Pentagon is assessing the legal and logistical implications of the proposal.

This development is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to intensify immigration enforcement efforts nationwide.