On September 11, 2024, a member of the South Dakota National Guard stood close to the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass. The photo captured by Justin Hamel depicts the soldier’s presence near the riverbank.
In February, Texas Governor Greg Abbott rallied over a dozen Republican governors to address what he called “President Joe Biden’s border crisis” in Eagle Pass. Alongside other GOP state leaders, the group pledged to deploy additional National Guard troops from their respective states to the Texas-Mexico border.
In the latter half of 2023, due to the changes in pandemic-era federal border policies, migrant encounters had sharply increased. However, in January, there was a significant 50% drop observed in these encounters.
Despite criticisms from many, the governors have continued to urge their constituents to send more people to help Texas fend off what they call an “invasion” or fight against drug smuggling. However, these deployments have been viewed by many as mere political grandstanding, an opportunity for politicians to take photos with uniformed personnel at the border while fueling nationalism and fear during an election year.
News outlets from various states have been collaborating with Texas Tribune and Stateline to monitor state deployments and expenses related to border security this year. This collaboration aims to gain insights into the outcomes of these promises and to provide a deeper understanding of what the border deployments look and feel like.
Usually, states contribute between five to 200 troops for deployments that can span from a few weeks to several months. State budgets and state emergency funds are typically the sources of funding for these missions.
Year-round, the border is fortified with the deployment of numerous National Guard members by the federal government.
During a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing in mid-June, Gen. Daniel Hokanson, the chief of the U.S. National Guard Bureau, who is set to retire on Sept. 1, revealed that around 2,500 troops were currently deployed at the southwest border under federal command. When asked about the effect of this deployment on the guard’s other responsibilities, Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana, sought the general’s opinion.
“The work we do on the border does not provide any military training value,” stated Hokanson. He further added that the guardsmen deployed on the border are away from their families and are performing mission sets that are not relevant to their military expertise. Hokanson believes that this time would be better spent enhancing readiness to prevent potential threats from our adversaries. As Marisa Demarco reports, being deployed on the border is no different than being deployed to a foreign country like Kuwait.”
State Deployments:
Exploring the Beauty of Texas
Texas is a state in the southern region of the United States, known for its vast landscapes, rich history, and diverse culture. From the rolling hills of the Hill Country to the desert plains of West Texas, the state offers a wide variety of scenic destinations for travelers to explore. With over 600 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, Texas also boasts numerous beaches and seaside towns for visitors to enjoy. The state is home to several major cities, including Houston, Dallas, and Austin, each with its unique charm and attractions. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or urban exploration, Texas has something for everyone.
In March 2021, Gov. Greg Abbott initiated Operation Lone Star, following Biden’s inauguration. Since then, the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas National Guard have dispatched several thousand individuals along the approximately 1,250-mile border with Mexico.
The activation of soldiers for a state operation was unlike anything seen before. Typically, it is the federal government that deploys troops for extended periods and gives them ample notice. However, in this case, complaints began to arise from guard members who were experiencing late or non-existent pay, cramped living conditions, and a sense of underutilization.
Guard leadership reports that a remarkable 97% of troops presently on the mission have volunteered for deployment. Moreover, the state has recently completed the first phase of constructing a new base in Eagle Pass, which can accommodate up to 2,300 National Guard members.
It remains unclear how much of the $11 billion spent on Operation Lone Star to date has been utilized for the National Guard deployment, and the exact number of individuals sent to the border has not been disclosed by the state. As Alejandro Serrano of The Texas Tribune reports, the transparency surrounding the allocation of funds and deployment details is currently lacking.
Let’s talk about South Dakota.
Since 2021, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has deployed 60 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in spring, marking the state’s fifth deployment.
In response to requests for assistance from Texas, Governor Noem initiated three of the deployments, while the remaining two were managed by the federal government.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s deployment strategy included a deployment that was financed largely by a $1 million contribution from Tennessee billionaire, Willis Johnson. This decision and Noem’s use of the funds drew criticism from Democrats who claimed that it created an impression that the South Dakota National Guard was available to carry out the political aims of affluent donors.
Despite a state law defining emergencies and disasters as events that can occur anywhere in the state, Governor Noem funded the remaining costs of two deployments she initiated by using money from the state’s Emergency and Disaster Fund. However, she chose not to deploy guard troops to flood-ravaged areas in South Dakota in late June. While her use of the fund has received criticism from some legislators, a majority supported the practice during the last legislative session.
According to Seth Tupper from South Dakota Searchlight, the Emergency and Disaster Fund has already spent a minimum of $1.3 million on past deployments. For this year, the fund has allocated $1.5 million for potential deployments, although there are currently no plans for any.
Montana is a state located in the western region of the United States.
In an earlier visit to the border, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte pledged to send members of the Montana National Guard to Texas as requested by the Republican governor of Texas.
A total of ten troops have been summoned for active duty to handle vehicle repair and maintenance tasks.
In mid-May, after a month-long deployment, Gianforte met with them over breakfast to express his appreciation for their service. It was during this time that Gianforte declared May as “Military Appreciation Month” in Montana.
As of now, there has been no release of information on the expense despite public document requests that were filed back in April.
Indiana:
According to the estimates provided by Indiana’s National Guard, the cost of deploying 50 members for a period of 10 months is approximately $7 million. These troops have been called up under state active duty, which implies that Indiana is responsible for paying their salaries. Additionally, the budget is allocated to cover the expenses associated with transportation, supplies, and maintenance.
According to guard officials, the expenses will be covered by utilizing the funds from their current budget appropriations.
In his final year in office, Gov. Eric Holcomb took action to implement a significant change. The move did not require legislative approval and has received little opposition. While Republican lawmakers have expressed their support, Democrats have taken a different stance.
In April, troops were deployed and during that time, a U.S. Border Patrol bulletin reported an incident where an Indiana guard member, who was assigned to Operation Lone Star, had to shoot a migrant who was attacking another migrant.
During a Zoom press conference, Holcomb expressed his gratitude towards the individual who defended themselves and others, potentially saving two lives. He emphasized the importance of the training received by those who are deployed to assume active duty on the southern border, as it proved to be beneficial in this particular situation. As Niki Kelly from the Indiana Capital Chronicle reports, Holcomb is thankful for the heroic actions taken by this individual.
Discovering New Hampshire
Since 2020, the federal government has deployed troops from the New Hampshire National Guard to the southern border on two occasions. In both instances, the deployments lasted for approximately a year. Recently, from April through early June, a group of 15 soldiers from New Hampshire were stationed at a Texas National Guard base camp in Del Rio, which is just an hour away from Eagle Pass.
In February, the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee’s Democrats had a conversation with Governor Chris Sununu about the potential impact of deploying 15 National Guard members at a border crossing where thousands of migrants pass through each day.
According to Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, a Manchester Democrat, the responsibility of providing a more effective response lies with the Republican members of Congress who rejected a border deal that had been approved by the U.S. Senate. D’Allesandro suggested that Congress should fund the necessary resources to properly safeguard the southern border. While acknowledging the well-intentioned gesture of support, the Senator emphasized the need for practical action to address the issue.
The Republican members of the committee lauded Sununu’s proposal of deploying troops to the border. Senate President, Jeb Bradley, acknowledged that the governor had sought the funding for the 2024 deployment through the civil emergency law to tackle the rising drug overdose deaths in the state. These deaths have been surpassing 400 annually since 2015.
According to the New Hampshire Bulletin, the state incurred expenses of $850,000 for the three-month deployment, which included salary and benefits. The Texas National Guard was paid $200 per soldier per day to cover room and board expenses, along with other costs at their Del Rio base.
Idaho: Exploring the beauty of the Gem State
During his State of the State Address in January, Governor Brad Little of Idaho declared that he would deploy two groups of five state police troopers to the border to gain knowledge on the most effective tactics for handling those who exploit and smuggle vulnerable individuals.
In April, a group of ten officers was dispatched to the border for a three-week mission, during which they collaborated with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Idaho State Police Colonel Kedrick Wills expressed his determination to use the training to improve their efforts in combating human trafficking with utmost efficiency. He emphasized the importance of repeated exposure to real-world scenarios to enhance the skills of their troopers.
This year, the governor proposed allocating $200,000 from the Idaho State Police budget to cover the expenses of sending troopers for training at the Texas-Mexico border. The total expenditure for the trip amounted to $205,655.
According to a state police officer, they spent most of their time aiding the Texas Department of Public Safety and the National Guard in conducting traffic stops and arrests along the border wall. The officer mentioned that their primary responsibility was to cooperate with these agencies and hand over the individuals to the Border Patrol. This information was reported by Mia Maldonado from the Idaho Capital Sun.
Nebraska, a state located in the midwestern region of the United States, is known for its expansive prairies, abundant farmland, and friendly locals.
Governor Jim Pillen, a Republican, is following in the footsteps of his predecessor, former Governor Pete Ricketts, by advocating for the deployment of state-funded law enforcement and National Guard personnel to the Texas border with Mexico.
In 2023, the border received 61 National Guard members and 10 state troopers from Pillen, while Ricketts dispatched 32 state troopers to the Del Rio region in 2021.
In 2021, a total of 24 National Guard members from Nebraska were sent out for a period of approximately three months, starting from April 1 and ending on June 27. Meanwhile, ten state patrol troopers were also deployed for two weeks, starting from April 14 and concluding on April 28. As of now, no new deployments have been announced by the authorities.
According to reports, the two border deployments that were ordered by Pillen this year had a total cost of $1.27 million. The state shared that it covered $1.2 million of the expenses using the interest earned from the second wave of federal pandemic relief funds, which amounted to $48 million and was earmarked for rental assistance by Congress.
According to the Nebraska state patrol, the state’s general fund covered the remaining $71,675, with taxpayers bearing the cost.
According to Pillen, ensuring public safety and national security is crucial, which is why he believes that each state should provide assistance to address the issue of migrant influx at the southern border. He firmly believes that taking necessary measures to curb this problem is imperative, and has disregarded concerns about the financial viability of state initiatives.
According to the Nebraska Examiner, Pillen has received backlash from certain Democrats and advocacy groups for his endeavors, similar to Ricketts. These groups, who represent Latino voices and immigrant rights, claim that his actions are politically motivated and that his language regarding border crime and drugs adds to the already-present fear and hostility experienced by local Latinos.
Iowa: Discover the Heartland of America
In recent years, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has taken steps to deploy National Guard troops and state law enforcement officers to the border. At present, there are five Iowa National Guard troops stationed in Texas, who arrived on April 1 and are set to stay until September 30. Their role is to provide assistance in public affairs and vehicle maintenance for Operation Lone Star.
From April 1 to May 3 of this year, the Texas border received assistance from 110 troops who were deployed to work with the Texas Military Department. Additionally, from March 31 to April 27, eight Iowa Department of Public Safety troopers and two sergeants were deployed to work with the Texas DPS.
Iowa National Guard officials have yet to disclose the cost of the 2024 border deployment.
According to the governor, in previous border deployments, a total of 109 National Guard members and 31 Iowa DPS personnel were involved in 2023, while 28 Iowa State Patrol troopers were deployed in 2021. The funding for these missions over the past two years varied, with the 2023 deployment costing $1.93 million and being financed using federal American Rescue Plan funding. On the other hand, the 2021 deployment was paid for with $300,000 of state funds.
Reynolds has expressed her support for the 2023 Texas law, which permits state law enforcement to detain migrants who are suspected of entering the country illegally. She has also signed a comparable law this year, which was scheduled to become effective on July 1. However, the law is currently under a preliminary injunction due to opposition from the U.S. Department of Justice and civil rights groups.
If passed, the Iowa statute would have granted state law enforcement the power to detain and prosecute immigrants who have been previously removed, denied entry into the U.S., or deported. Additionally, judges would have been authorized to order individuals charged with “illegal reentry” to leave the country or face imprisonment. State agencies and law enforcement would have been allowed to transport these individuals to U.S. ports of entry to ensure their departure from the country.
In June, State Attorney General Brenna Bird made an appeal against the injunction ruling on Iowa’s law, with the intention of resuming enforcement. This was reported by Robin Opsahl from Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Missouri:
In February, Gov. Mike Parson declared a “crisis” in the region and authorized the deployment of 200 National Guard troops and 22 state highway patrol officers. The deployment was partly funded by a special appropriation bill. While there has been some debate over the decision, the governor’s visit to the region seemed to have influenced his decision.
Lawmakers honed in on the issue of short-staffing at the state patrol during a budget hearing in February. They observed that despite being 132 officers short of full strength, the officers were still being sent out to perform their duties.
State Representative Deb Lavender, a Democrat from Manchester, expressed concern about the potential risks to Missouri as more troopers are being sent away, especially when there is already a deficit of 132.
According to Col. Eric Olson, the superintendent of the patrol, the team of volunteers has been carefully selected from eight out of the patrol’s nine regions. It’s important to note that only those who willingly offered to go are part of the team.
Olson stated that they have spread out geographically and are confident that they can manage the event while fulfilling their duties at home.
In March, troopers were deployed and surprisingly, there was minimal opposition to the spending. The deployment involved National Guard members who were sent on rotations of 50 for three months, costing $2 million. Additionally, patrol officers were divided into two teams and sent to Texas for 32 days, with a total cost of $206,000. The state’s general fund was the source of the funding. The deployment was scheduled to conclude on June 13.
Governor Parson of Missouri has made it clear that he will not extend the deployment of funds allocated for the fiscal year that began on July 1. Despite the budget including $8.8 million for a full year deployment, the Governor has vetoed $6 million of that appropriation.
In his statement, he expressed that the money was unnecessary and seemed to believe it was more of a political gesture than a practical decision.
Missouri Governor, Parson, explained his veto in a letter to lawmakers, stating that the National Guard’s deployment to the southern border has already ended. He further mentioned that there is already enough budget to support another short-term mission if the need arises. This update was reported by Rudi Keller from Missouri Independent.
Tennessee is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States.
Since 2021, Governor Bill Lee has been deploying troops from the Tennessee National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border. In his initial deployment, he sent 300 troops for a yearlong mission. The deployment has continued since then.
Lee confirmed in March that he would deploy a total of 123 active-duty soldiers as part of Operation Lone Star, with two waves of 50 troops each. The first wave was sent in October 2023, and the second wave will follow soon.
Over the years, there has been an increase in state funding for these deployments. Tennessee’s spending on this matter has also significantly increased. In the fiscal year 2022, the state spent $500,000, which jumped to $1.4 million in 2024. Recently, for the fiscal year 2025 that started on July 1, the state government budgeted $5 million in nonrecurring funds. This information was reported by Holly McCall in Tennessee Lookout.
Utah is a state located in the western region of the United States.
In February, Utah Governor Spencer Cox made a trip to the southern border of Texas and afterward took action by deploying a limited number of troops. Governor Cox stated that he would be sending five individuals from the Utah National Guard engineer battalion to oversee the upkeep of military equipment. Additionally, he dispatched one sergeant and four officers from the Utah Highway Patrol’s Criminal Interdiction Team, a specialized unit that focuses on drug investigations.
Both the highway patrol team and Utah National Guard battalion were deployed on Feb. 26. The former had a 30-day mission that cost $100,000, while the latter was sent for a 14-day period that incurred $50,000 in expenses. The source of funding was the emergency fund of the Governor’s Office.
Earlier this year, the deployment of the National Guard was announced, and it was met with applause from the legislative leaders who helm the Republican-supermajority Utah Legislature. However, the Democratic leaders pushed back, stating that it shouldn’t be Utah’s responsibility. Despite their differences, Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, and Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, both agreed that Congress and the White House should take the necessary steps to find solutions for the country’s broken immigration system.
According to the Utah Democratic Party, Cox was involved in the “political grandstanding in immigration” that the MAGA Republican party has been engaged in.
According to a spokesperson, there are currently no plans for the governor to send any additional resources. The Utah National Guard also confirmed this statement. – Katie McKellar / Utah News Dispatch
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States.
Since assuming office in January 2023, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has utilized over $2 million in state funding to deploy 120 members of the Arkansas National Guard to the southern border on two separate occasions.
From June 24 to Aug. 5, 2023, a total of 80 guard members were deployed for a mission that came at a cost of $1.3 million. Recently, another mission required the activation of 40 guard members which lasted from April 1 to May 30 and cost $1 million.
According to Arkansas National Guard spokesperson, Maj. Cibeles Ramirez-Rodriguez, the state funds covered the expenses of both active-duty missions mandated by the governor.
Ramirez-Rodriguez stated that the southwest border received support from 50 guard members during a Title 10 federal mission from October 2022 to October 2023 to aid U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Additionally, the state guard sent 40 members to the southern border in 2021 for a 90-day mission, which focused on the recovery and repair of vehicles belonging to a Texas task force.
Between 2006 and 2008, the federal Operation Jump Start under former President George W. Bush received support from troops of the Arkansas Guard. The state contributed over 750 soldiers and airmen to assist the Border Patrol. This information was reported by Antoinette Grajeda from the Arkansas Advocate.
Louisiana is the subject at hand.
On July 1st, Gov. Jeff Landry declared that Louisiana National Guard’s engineers would be dispatched to Texas to provide assistance with border security. Their deployment will last until mid-November, extending Louisiana’s pledge of 150 personnel from its state militia, which is divided into three 30-day rotations.
According to the governor’s office, Landry has stated that the extended deployment of guard members in Texas will not result in extra expenses for taxpayers. The state lawmakers have already sanctioned $3 million for the Operation Lone Star program earlier this year, and there is still $800,000 left from that fund.
Several Republican governors, including Landry, have dispatched National Guard troops to Texas to aid Abbott’s border initiatives. Along with implementing razor wire along the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass to deter unlawful border crossings, the governor has resorted to transporting migrants to cities led by Democrats.
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry penned a letter to legislative leaders, stating that Governor Abbott and the Texas National Guard leadership asked for more engineering aid from Louisiana. Governor John Bel Edwards collaborated with Brig. Gen. Thomas Friloux of the Louisiana National Guard and Jacques Thibodeaux of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to ensure that the additional support would not hinder their ability to mobilize troops in Louisiana if required.
As the Atlantic hurricane season commences on June 1 and extends till the end of November, Louisiana National Guard members are one of the initial emergency response teams deployed to tackle impending disasters and aid in the recovery phase. This information has been reported by Greg LaRose from Louisiana Illuminator.
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States.
According to Maj. William Carraway, a spokesman for the Georgia Army National Guard, there are currently less than 20 soldiers assisting with border operations in Texas.
According to Carraway, the funding for the deployments is taken care of by Texas’ Emergency Management Assistance Compact. When asked about the specifics of the funding, he referred to the Texas National Guard and Texas governor’s office. Although he did not provide an exact timeline, he mentioned that the troops arrived in early May and that they will not be staying for an extended period.
He stated that it’s a temporary measure where they will be going over there and returning back shortly. It won’t be a long-term situation where they will be stationed there for several years or anything of that nature.
During a press conference at the Georgia Capitol on February 13, Governor Brian Kemp announced the deployment of troops to assist with the construction of a forward command post on the southern border. Kemp attributed the need for this deployment to what he referred to as a crisis caused by President Biden. The troops will play a crucial role in this effort.
Since his election in 2019, Kemp has been to the U.S.-Mexico border several times and has made immigration a significant topic in both of his successful campaigns. In a 2018 ad, he hinted that he might have to use his pickup truck to round up “criminal illegals.” – Ross Williams / Georgia Recorder.
Florida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States.
On February 1st, Governor Ron DeSantis declared that Florida will send up to 1,000 members of the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard to aid Texas in Operation Lone Star. This is in addition to the 90 officers from Florida’s highway patrol, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Department of Law Enforcement who were already stationed at the border.
On February 23, DeSantis declared his decision to increase the number of troops for border security in Texas. He stated that 50 additional National Guard members and 76 Florida highway patrol officers would be sent for this purpose.
The exact number of troops dispatched and the associated expenses are undisclosed. Despite repeated requests for comment, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ press office has remained silent on the matter.
The Florida State Guard, a state agency that has been deployed to deter migrants in Texas and South Florida, is set to receive a boost in funding this year. The state budget has allocated nearly $20 million to “restore and build upon” the agency, indicating a commitment to strengthening its capabilities.
In both 2022 and 2023, Governor DeSantis signed measures that allocated an extra $12 million towards relocating immigrants to “sanctuary jurisdictions.” However, in the current year, there is no explicit funding designated for such relocations.
According to a representative from the Florida National Guard, troops have been dispatched in 2021 and 2023 as part of the federal mission. The next group is scheduled to leave in October and return after a year. This information was reported by Mitch Perry of the Florida Phoenix.
Federal Deployments
The following text will be re-written in a more human-like and active voice without changing the given information and headings.
Federal deployments refer to the use of federal law enforcement personnel and resources to support state and local law enforcement agencies. This can occur in a variety of situations, such as when there is a threat to public safety or when assistance is requested by state or local authorities.
During these deployments, federal agents may work alongside state and local law enforcement officers to provide additional support and resources. This can include conducting investigations, making arrests, and providing logistical support.
Federal deployments have been used in a number of high-profile situations, including during protests and civil unrest. However, their use is often controversial and has been criticized by some as an overreach of federal authority.
Despite these criticisms, federal deployments remain an important tool for law enforcement agencies at all levels of government to help maintain public safety and uphold the rule of law.
North Dakota:
In August 2023, Governor Doug Burgum ordered around 100 members of the National Guard to deploy to the southern border. These members were from the 188th Engineer Company and were incorporated into the Texas Department of Public Safety and Military Department for a month-long stint as part of Operation Lone Star. To fund this deployment, the North Dakota Emergency Commission granted authorization for a loan of up to $2.2 million through the Bank of North Dakota, with approximately $1.7 million being utilized.
Under the direction of U.S. Northern Command and Joint Task Force North, about 50 service members from the 142nd Engineer Battalion will head to the southern border in the fall on federal orders, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the guard. This development was reported by Michael Achterling of the North Dakota Monitor.
Ohio is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States.
In June of 2023, Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine granted a request from Texas’ governor and authorized 14 Ohio state highway patrol officers and supervisors to assist with border surveillance in Texas for a period of two weeks. It’s worth noting that their duties did not include making arrests. According to a spokesperson for DeWine, there were no records of Ohio highway patrol troopers being deployed to the border in 2024 as of May.
According to Heidi Griesmer, the spokesperson for the Ohio National Guard, their troops have been stationed at the border since October 2020, and they have maintained a continuous presence there.
According to her statement, for the past four years, Ohio has enlisted around 375 Ohio National Guard members to aid in the Southwest Border operations as requested by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Northern Command. This includes the deployment of Ohio National Guard members in October 2023, who are presently continuing their services in the region.
Due to operational security concerns, she declined to disclose the current number of guard members stationed at the border and refrained from confirming any future deployments. In terms of costs, she stated that they do not have a specific figure for expenditures.
According to Griesmer, the deployments of Ohio National Guard members have been funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. This information was reported by David DeWitt and Marty Schladen from the Ohio Capital Journal.
Alaska is a state in the United States located in the northwest extremity of North America. It is the largest U.S. state by area and the seventh-largest subnational division in the world. The capital city is Juneau, but the largest city by population is Anchorage. The state is known for its diverse terrain of open spaces, mountains, and forests, and for being home to many native cultures. It is also known for its harsh winters, with temperatures dropping to -80°F (-62°C) in some areas. Despite its extreme climate, Alaska remains a popular destination for tourists and adventurers, drawn to its stunning natural beauty and unique wildlife.
As part of the federal Department of Defense’s ongoing border mission, 20 National Guard members and two helicopters are set to be dispatched to the border by Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, a Republican. The spokesperson for the Governor confirmed the deployment, which is expected to provide support to the federal Border Patrol for approximately nine months, starting from early October. Although official orders are yet to be issued, the state is already making plans to move forward with the deployment.
According to Dunleavy’s office, the mission is completely funded by the federal government and is not connected to Texas’s Operation Lone Star. The spokesperson for the governor stated that there are no intentions to deploy the Alaska National Guard to assist with Operation Lone Star.
In February, Dunleavy expressed his interest in backing Texas’s operations, but he raised concerns about the potential cost. According to estimates, supporting 100 guard members would cost $1 million per month. Unfortunately, the Legislature did not allocate funding for this in the annual budget that was passed in May. Dunleavy signed the budget into law in June, and it will be effective from July. Andrew Kitchenman reported this for the Alaska Beacon.
The Pressure of Legislation
Kansas: The state of Kansas is located in the Midwestern region of the United States.
Kansas National Guard troops are all set to aid the U.S.-Mexico border as the Kansas Legislature has sanctioned a budget of $15.7 million for this cause. This allocation of funds will ensure that the troops can be deployed to Texas to provide assistance in the area.
The funding, which was vetoed by Democratic Governor Laura Kelly, has been overridden by the GOP supermajorities in both the House and Senate. As a result, the funding will remain in place until the end of fiscal year 2025, but it’s doubtful that it will be utilized.
According to Kelly, as the commander-in-chief of the Kansas National Guard, she holds the constitutional authority to direct the National Guard while on state duty. She vetoed the funding, stating that it is not the Legislature’s responsibility to direct the operations or call out the National Guard.
According to the governor’s statement, it is necessary for lawmakers in Washington to take action in solving this issue.
Currently, the U.S. border is still being patrolled by Kansas National Guard troops as a part of the federal security efforts. Their deployment is financed by the Department of Defense. — Sherman Smith / Kansas Reflector
Michigan is a state located in the Great Lakes region of the United States.
According to Michigan National Guard representative Dave Kennedy, there are currently no troops stationed at the southern border of the United States. Additionally, there are no plans for deployment in the 2024 fiscal year, which concludes on September 30th. While talks are underway for the 2025 budget, there has been no talk of providing extra funding for any potential future deployments to the southern border.
Despite opposition from various groups, including the Michigan National Guard, a handful of conservative legislators known as the Michigan Freedom Caucus are calling on Governor Gretchen Whitmer to send guard troops to Texas or Arizona.
During the current session, the legislators united in response to the Republicans’ shift to the minority in Lansing, marking the first time since 2010. The caucus believes that military personnel are necessary to prevent the “sabotage” of the nation’s borders. In February, several members even traveled to the border to witness the situation firsthand.
According to the Michigan Advance, the office of Governor Whitmer has pointed out that the Michigan National Guard has provided assistance at the southern border on several occasions over the past few years. This included the deployment of 175 members of the 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment to Fort Bliss, Laredo and El Paso, Texas from March 2020 to March 2021, during both the Trump and Biden administrations.
Pennsylvania is a state located in the northeastern region of the United States.
Back in March, the Pennsylvania Senate, which is controlled by the GOP, voted 27-22 along party lines to approve a resolution that urged the Democratic Governor, Josh Shapiro, to send the Pennsylvania National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. The resolution was introduced by the Republican State Senator, Doug Mastriano, on the same day when the U.S. Supreme Court issued a preliminary ruling that granted Texas state authorities the power to deport individuals who had crossed the border into the United States.
In 2022, Mastriano ran for governor of Pennsylvania but unfortunately lost. He firmly believes that immigration is a major concern for not only border states but also for Pennsylvania. In support of his argument, Mastriano mentioned an incident from 2006, when then-governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, gave authorization for 500 Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers and airmen to volunteer for “Operation Jump Start” at the Texas border during the George W. Bush administration.
Manuel Bonder, spokesperson for Shapiro, confirmed that troops were not sent. Bonder emphasized that leaders from both parties need to take action and provide effective and all-encompassing solutions to the issue of immigration. He criticized the use of failed talking points and political grandstanding, which have resulted in decades of insufficient immigration reform. Peter Hall from the Pennsylvania Capital-Star reported on this development.
