TRUMP AUTHORIZES TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD TO ARREST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
These days, the Texas Army National Guard has a lot to handle. There are tensions at the border where they are serving to help with an influx of immigrants sparking political and cultural shockwaves in multiple communities. Now, President Trump has authorized them to arrest and detain people who illegally enter the U.S., as the administration works to expand the military's role in immigration enforcement.
What Is the Texas Army National Guard?
The Texas Army National Guard is a part-time state-based military force with a dual mission. Under the command of state Governors, the Texas Army National Guard units respond to state emergencies such as natural disasters and civil emergencies.
Additionally, the militias can be activated to defend the nation when required. The force is one of 54 total units throughout the United States.
Recently, the Army National Guard in Texas has been very busy dealing with an influx of illegal immigration along the Texas-Mexico border. This has sparked political debates and divides as a result.
Officially, these actions are part of the ongoing Texas Army National Guard border mission known as Operation Lone Star.
Now, President Trump’s decision to allow Guardsmen within the Lone Star State the power to arrest and detain illegal migrants crossing into the United States could complicate things further while expanding the scope of their mission.
Texas Army National Guard, Money, and Crossing the Border
Like many things, money is involved with plenty of what is going on with a recent influx of immigrants heading into the United States.
Despite our own economic pressures as of late, the United States still presents a variety of opportunities much more attractive than other countries for some families headed to America.
The Texas Army National Guard may find lucrative temptations because those searching for a better life understand the price to pay is a well-spent investment for opportunities stateside.
Infrastructure is being put into place to help Guardsman better operate and there are even some in place to discourage illegal immigration.
However, there is no clear end in sight nor a fully realized plan to help prevent immigration or streamline the process. Simply put, the Texas Army National Guard is likely to be busy for quite some time.
Immigration and Controversies
Immigrants continue to face difficulties and a complex system when moving to the United States, providing plenty of opportunities under the table for those willing to risk it all in the pursuit of living the American dream.
In 2024, a member of the Texas National Guard, Specialist Savion Amari Donovan Johnson, was apprehended and accused of human smuggling near the U.S.-Mexico border after allegedly attempting to evade a Border Patrol checkpoint.
Johnson was arrested by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers on Highway 90 in Kinney County after a 15-mile chase exceeding speeds of 100 miles per hour.
Leading up to the incident, the Lone Star State had recently passed legislation imposing a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years for individuals convicted of smuggling immigrants or operating stash houses, significantly increasing penalties for such offenses.
Many officials are aware of the risks posed to Guardsmen, police officers, and other officials as lucrative opportunities present themselves along the border for such services.
Texas Army National Guard Can Now Arrest and Detain Illegal Immigrants
President Trump continues his administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration by expanding the powers of the Texas National Guard.
If migrants are illegally moving from Mexico to the U.S., Guardsmen are now allowed to detain and arrest them to help law enforcement.
In 2021, Gov. Greg Abbott empowered the Texas Guard with the ability to arrest illegal immigrants who were trespassing due to multiple accounts of private property being encroached upon for those living in border cities.
Now, Texas is in an agreement with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which details the following:
- Guardsmen are now able to investigate, detain, and arrest illegal migrants who will then be deported.
- While these actions are now allowed, Guardsmen must be working with the supervision of someone from U.S. Customs and Border Protection when doing so.
- Furthermore, communication with the CBP official must be open “by cellular phone, radio, or other similar technology.”
This decision is a major one, as the military has been at the border for quite some time but hasn’t been involved in law enforcement activities that are typically banned due to the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878.
The Trump administration is using narcotics and mass migration as reasons to expand the role of the Texas Army National Guard.
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