Arkansas National Guard will deploy approximately 40 guardsmen to Texas in support of border control operations along the southern border, announced Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ office on Tuesday.
The deployment, initiated by the governor, is scheduled to commence on April 1 and will continue until May 30, as stated in an official news release.
Following a surge in illegal border crossings, which reached record levels in December but saw a notable decrease in January, attributed partly to seasonal trends and increased enforcement measures, the federal government has yet to release February’s statistics.
Governor Sanders, expressing criticism towards President Joe Biden’s border policies, emphasized her firsthand observation of the crisis and her belief in the Arkansas Guard’s ability to bolster Texas’ border security efforts.
Having previously visited the border alongside 14 other governors on February 4 to demonstrate solidarity with Texas’ border initiatives, Sanders reiterated her support for the state’s efforts. She had also visited the border last July to show support for approximately 80 guardsmen previously deployed there.
Major General Jonathan Stubbs, Arkansas’ Adjutant General, affirmed the readiness of the deployed soldiers, highlighting previous successful deployments under Governor Sanders’ administration and others.
The Arkansas Guardsmen will augment the Texas National Guard’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, providing enhanced detection and tracking support to their counterparts, according to the news release.
As immigration continues to be a focal point in the 2024 presidential campaign, expected to feature a rematch between President Biden and former President Donald Trump, both candidates are leveraging border issues to their political advantage.