California Rejects Plan For Border Duties For National Guard Troops
SAN DIEGO (AP) - Acting U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Commissioner Ronald D. Vitiello says California's governor has determined that some tasks federal officials want the state's National Guard to perform at the U.S.-Mexico border are "unsupportable."
Vitiello made the comments to reporters in Washington Monday after two U.S. officials told The Associated Press said terms of the federal government's initial plans for sending National Guard troops to the border because the work is considered too closely tied to immigration.
Governor Brown has stated publicly that he shares our interest in securing our southern border. DHS and our federal partners are committed to working with the Governor to mobilize the California National Guard to assist DHS' frontline personnel in our vital missions.
— DHS Spokesperson (@SpoxDHS) April 16, 2018
California Gov. Jerry Brown has pledged 400 troops to the effort by Trump to send up to 4,000 troops to the border.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Integration Robert G. Salesses says officials wanted 237 for service in two areas of California with "a set of mission responsibility there that California National Guard has indicated they will not perform."
He added that talks are ongoing.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press.