EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – In a historic moment, 60 National Guard soldiers were sworn in at the border, taking an oath to assist Border Patrol agents in apprehending and detaining those crossing the border illegally.
El Paso Sector Interim Chief Walter N. Slosar was able to deputize these soldiers under Title 8.
“Title 8 means we have the authority to apprehend those individuals crossing the border illegally,” Border Patrol spokesperson for El Paso Sector, Claudio Herrera, said. “More importantly, Border Patrol will utilize every asset, everything they have to enforce immigration laws in the border.”
The National Guard was typically only able to monitor and wait for the Border Patrol to take action when there was a migrant encounter, but now they are 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.
“They’ll be sent to high threat areas,” Sanchez said. “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.”
We did ask Sanchez if the 60 soldiers would be expected to patrol the streets.
“No, they are not going to be in the streets,” Sanchez said. “No, they are specifically assigned to help Border Patrol in securing the border.”
We also reached out to Escobar’s office regarding today’s event, and she sent the following statement:
“Using Texas National Guard for immigration enforcement is costly and unnecessary, especially given that – according to the Trump Administration – border encounters are down by 95%. Instead of funding border operations, Governor Abbott should focus on his responsibility to adequately fund public education. His efforts to withhold funding from our schools has resulted in fiscal crises for school districts all over Texas.
“A reminder that Texas National Guard – unlike Border Patrol – are not trained for immigration enforcement operations, aren’t familiar with the intricacies of immigration law, and simply do not need to be deployed away from their families and homes so that Donald Trump and Greg Abbott can look tough.”
El Paso is not the only Texas city to have the National Guard deputized. According to Sanchez, there was a swearing in McAllen followed by Eagle Pass.
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