Deportation Force? Trump Considering Deploying 100,000 National Guard Troops to Round Up Undocumented Immigrants

Unprecedented Use of Military Forces on the Ground in the Nation for Immigration Enforcement

The Trump administration is considering using the National Guard as a deportation force to round up undocumented immigrants. The Associated Press reports as many as 100,000 National Guard troops could be called up and deployed throughout the nation. The AP has obtained an 11-page draft memo that “calls for the unprecedented militarization of immigration enforcement as far north as Portland, Oregon, and as far east as New Orleans, Louisiana.”

Guard troops could be deployed in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas as well as Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Governors in those states would have the option of agreeing or refusing to deploy the troops.

The “draft memo says participating troops would be authorized “to perform the functions of an immigration officer in relation to the investigation, apprehension and detention of aliens in the United States.” It describes how the troops would be activated under a revived state-federal partnership program, and states that personnel would be authorized to conduct searches and identify and arrest any unauthorized immigrants.”

The people the National Guard would round up would be forced in to deportation camps where they could spend months, if not longer. Families would be split apart.

No cost, financial or otherwise, associated with the proposal has been made public. 

UPDATE I: 11:00 AM EST –
The White House, which did not respond to AP requests for comment before the story was published, is now denying Trump is considering the use of the National Guard, but has not denied the existence of the 11-page draft document or if it was discussed.

But the AP is not relying on just the document.

“The draft document has circulated among DHS staff over the last two weeks. As recently as Friday, staffers in several different offices reported discussions were underway.”

This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates. 

Image by The National Guard via Flickr