Texas National Guard gains new authority for immigration arrests.
According to Breitbart, a recent agreement empowers Texas National Guard soldiers to conduct immigration arrests alongside federal officers.
The State of Texas and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU), significantly expanding the role of the Texas National Guard in immigration enforcement. This development authorizes Guard members to partner with U.S. immigration officers to enhance border security efforts.
The MOU was crafted by Pete R Flores, the acting commissioner of CBP. It outlines a collaborative framework allowing National Guard soldiers to assist in the detention of individuals violating U.S. immigration laws.
As of now, the memorandum's specifics have not been fully circulated among all Texas border sectors. This gradual rollout indicates a phased approach to implementing the new policies outlined in the MOU.
Under this new authority, National Guard soldiers will engage in roving patrols. They are tasked with responsibilities similar to those traditionally held by federal immigration agents, yet they must always operate in the presence of a U.S. immigration officer or Border Patrol agent.
The operational structure as defined in the MOU stipulates that there will be one officer for every four soldiers. This ratio aims to maintain oversight and integration of Guard personnel with established Border Patrol practices.
Following President Trump’s inauguration, various federal agencies received expanded arrest powers under Title 8 of the United States Code. These adjustments enhanced the federal government’s capability to enforce immigration laws more robustly.
Shortly after, on January 23, the Department of Homeland Security further authorized federal law enforcement agents to engage more directly in locating, investigating, and apprehending migrants found to be in illegal status. These moves set a precedent for the type of authority granted under the recent MOU involving the Texas National Guard.
The duties now assigned to the Texas National Guard mirror those typically reserved for agents within the Department of Homeland Security, indicating a significant shift in operational roles and expectations for military personnel engaged in domestic law enforcement activities.
With the signing of this MOU, around 3,000 soldiers from the Texas Army National Guard are being added to the pool of personnel available for immigration enforcement.
They join other federal officers from agencies such as the ATF, FBI, and United States Deputy Marshals, thereby increasing the manpower directed toward border security tasks.
The integration of Texas National Guard soldiers with federal immigration agents represents a strategic enhancement of resource allocation and capability at the southern border. This initiative serves as a part of broader efforts to maintain and enforce immigration laws within the United States.
Secure borders and effective immigration control are critical components of national security. This new role for the Texas National Guard underscores both the complexity and significance of managing border security efficiently and collaboratively.