U.S.-Mexico Border Governors Join Brewer Call for Surge In Troops
Press Release
U.S.-Mexico Border Governors Join Brewer Call for Surge In Troops
Request Congressional Support for Additional National Guard Soldiers
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, and Texas Governor Rick Perry have jointly requested U.S. Congressional leadership support for an increase in National Guard presence on the U.S.-Mexico border. The joint request follows a similar March request by Governor Brewer to the U.S. Department of Defense for an increase of approximately 250 National Guard soldiers (for a total of 400) under the mandate and control of the Joint Counter Narco-Terrorism Task Force (JCNTF), also referred to as the National Guard Counter-Drug Program, using federal funding under Title 32, Section 112 of the United States Code for National Guard activities. Governor Brewer's March request has not yet been fulfilled, despite growing concerns of increased border violence.
"Arizona communities and citizens continue to be negatively impacted by the illegal drug trade and related border violence," stated Brewer. "Our citizens must be protected from border violence. Arizona and other U.S.-Mexico border states continue to be confronted by a number of unique and disproportionate challenges relative to other states. Securing our border is a critical federal responsibility, and I am hopeful for strong congressional support."
The JCNTF's mission is to provide uniquely suited and quality military support to requesting federal, state and local Drug Law Enforcement Agencies as well as Community Based Organizations in the fight against illicit drugs with professionalism and successful mission results. JCNTF personnel are paid with federal funds under Title 32 and include medical costs, as afforded to Active Duty personnel. All mission costs are born by the federal government.
"The support these additional soldiers can provide to law enforcement agency operations has proven invaluable for many years, and a surge in this time-tested program is critically important," stated Brewer.
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