Governor Riley Authorizes Alabama National Guard to Counter Illegal Immigration Along U.S.-Mexico Border

Governor Riley Authorizes Alabama National Guard to Counter Illegal Immigration Along U.S.-Mexico Border

MONTGOMERY -- An agreement Governor Bob Riley has signed with the U.S. Department of Defense allows Alabama National Guard soldiers to assist border security efforts along the U.S.-Mexico border.

All Alabama Guard participating in the border security mission, known as "Operation Jump Start," will serve under the command of Governor Riley. However, the federal government will pay for all expenses associated with the mission. The agreement also allows the Guard's mission to be scaled back or terminated if needs in Alabama, such as a natural disaster, warrant their return.

"Border security is an urgent national priority and our Guard stands ready to do its part. The people of Alabama can be proud of their Guard members. They can also be assured that our Guard is capable of performing this mission while still being ready and prepared to help in any emergency that may occur back in the state," Governor Riley said.

Under terms of the agreement, the Alabama National Guard will provide surveillance and logistical support, freeing U.S. Border Patrol agents to concentrate on the law-enforcement aspects of border security.

Alabama has not received a specific request for deployment under Operation Jump Start at this time, but future requests can be expected as part of annual training or additional training for the Guard.

Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said in a briefing at the Pentagon last Friday that 30 governors have signed agreements to send National Guard soldiers to the border.

"There is a great cooperation and collaboration amongst the nation's governors and they understand the importance of having the National Guard be a reliable, essential and ready force," Gen. Blum said.

http://www.governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2006-07-20-01-guard_mexico_border.asp