Gov. Sanders sending 80 from Arkansas National Guard to Texas-Mexico border

Gov. Sarah Sanders announced Thursday (June 1) that she is directing about 80 soldiers from the Arkansas National Guard to the Texas-Mexico border.

Blaming the Biden administration’s recent halt of Title 42, Sanders said the guardsmen will support the Texas National Guard in border control efforts during the month of July.

Title 42 is a policy started during the COVID-19 pandemic by former President Donald Trump and kept in place until May by President Joe Biden. It curtailed rights for petition for asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Sanders said the Arkansas troops would work to “combat illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human trafficking” at the border. A press release from the governor’s office also said the Arkansas unit would provide “surveillance and reconnaissance” abilities and provide “increased detection and tracking capabilities” to their partners.

“President Biden’s failure at our southern border puts the entire country at risk. States must now step up where the President has failed to repel illegals, fight the cartels, and stop human and drug trafficking,” Sanders said. “Arkansans have always been quick to step up when others are in need – this time is no different.”

“The Arkansas National Guard is uniquely qualified to assist with border control operations,” said Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, Adjutant General for the Arkansas National Guard. “Our Soldiers and Airmen have been providing these same capabilities to combatant commanders and local law enforcement agencies for years.”

Gov. Asa Hutchinson deployed the Arkansas National Guard to the Texas-Mexico border in 2021 to assist with border security. Gov. Mike Huckabee also sent Arkansas National Guard troops to the border in 2006.