EL PASO, TX - To help combat the southern border crisis, 60 National Guard soldiers were sworn in at the border, taking an oath to assist Border Patrol agents in apprehending and detaining those who are crossing the border illegally.
According to KTSM, El Paso Sector Interim Border Chief Walter N. Slosar was able to deputize these soldiers under Title 8. Border Patrol spokesperson for El Paso Sector, Claudio Herrera, said, "Title 8 means we have the authority to apprehend those individuals crossing the border illegally. More importantly, Border Patrol will utilize every asset, everything they have to enforce immigration laws in the border."
The National Guard typically is only allowed to monitor and wait for the Border Patrol to take action when there was a migrant encounter, but now they have been given the power to detain and apprehend. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) West Texas Regional Director Jose Sanchez said these soldiers will be stationed wherever they are needed.
Sanchez said, "They'll be sent to high threat areas. It's all going to be determined by Border Patrol. If we have an area such as Mount Cristo Rey, where it's been a hot spot for a long time, if they feel they need more manpower, then they will direct those forces in that way." When asked if the 60 soldiers would be expected to patrol the streets, Sanchez said no.
He added, "They are not going to be in the streets. No, they are specifically assigned to help Border Patrol in securing the border." El Paso is not the only Texas city to have the National Guard deputized. Sanchez said there was a swearing-in ceremony in McAllen and Eagle Pass. According to reports, on February 20th, nearly 100 members of the Texas National Guard took the Border Patrol oath of office during a deputization ceremony in McAllen.
In a press release from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), Slosar said, "The brave men and women of the National Guard raised their hands today and swore an oath to defend this nation's borders.
They now stand alongside our Border Patrol agents to enforce U.S. immigration laws and secure the border. Together, they secure our borders with the strength and commitment the American people deserve. We are proud to serve beside them in this mission." The new deputization enables the Texas National Guard to actively make arrests at the direction and supervision of a Border Patrol agent.
Nearly 1,500 National Guard soldiers from across the U.S. continue to provide support along the southern border. Additionally, almost 5,000 Texas National Guard members remain in the field under Operation Lone Star, working alongside federal and state law enforcement to tackle illegal crossings and criminal activity.
According to KTSM, El Paso Sector Interim Border Chief Walter N. Slosar was able to deputize these soldiers under Title 8. Border Patrol spokesperson for El Paso Sector, Claudio Herrera, said, "Title 8 means we have the authority to apprehend those individuals crossing the border illegally. More importantly, Border Patrol will utilize every asset, everything they have to enforce immigration laws in the border."
The National Guard typically is only allowed to monitor and wait for the Border Patrol to take action when there was a migrant encounter, but now they have been given the power to detain and apprehend. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) West Texas Regional Director Jose Sanchez said these soldiers will be stationed wherever they are needed.
Sanchez said, "They'll be sent to high threat areas. It's all going to be determined by Border Patrol. If we have an area such as Mount Cristo Rey, where it's been a hot spot for a long time, if they feel they need more manpower, then they will direct those forces in that way." When asked if the 60 soldiers would be expected to patrol the streets, Sanchez said no.
He added, "They are not going to be in the streets. No, they are specifically assigned to help Border Patrol in securing the border." El Paso is not the only Texas city to have the National Guard deputized. Sanchez said there was a swearing-in ceremony in McAllen and Eagle Pass. According to reports, on February 20th, nearly 100 members of the Texas National Guard took the Border Patrol oath of office during a deputization ceremony in McAllen.
In a press release from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), Slosar said, "The brave men and women of the National Guard raised their hands today and swore an oath to defend this nation's borders.
They now stand alongside our Border Patrol agents to enforce U.S. immigration laws and secure the border. Together, they secure our borders with the strength and commitment the American people deserve. We are proud to serve beside them in this mission." The new deputization enables the Texas National Guard to actively make arrests at the direction and supervision of a Border Patrol agent.
Nearly 1,500 National Guard soldiers from across the U.S. continue to provide support along the southern border. Additionally, almost 5,000 Texas National Guard members remain in the field under Operation Lone Star, working alongside federal and state law enforcement to tackle illegal crossings and criminal activity.
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