Guard Troops to Be Added at Border

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano on Wednesday ordered more National Guard members posted at the state’s border with Mexico to stop illegal immigration and related crimes.

Guard troops have worked at the border since 1988. Napolitano’s order authorizes commanders to station an unspecified number of additional soldiers there to help federal agents.

Once the funding is approved, the troops are to monitor crossing points, assist with cargo inspection and operate surveillance cameras, according to the order.

“They are not there to militarize the border,” the Democratic governor said. “We are not at war with Mexico.”

About 170 National Guard members are already posted at the nation’s busiest illegal entry point, where they assist with communications, fence construction and anti-drug efforts.

Napolitano did not say how many troops would be stationed at the border and referred questions to the National Guard. Guard spokesman Maj. Paul Aguirre said the number would not be known until funding for the plan was approved.

The governor proposed sending troops to the border more than two months ago. Her critics in the Republican-led Legislature then introduced a bill requiring her to do so and providing $10 million for the project.

The bill won final approval Wednesday in the House and was headed to the governor, but she promised to veto the measure, saying it infringed on her constitutional powers as commander in chief of the Arizona National Guard.

Napolitano has asked the military to pay for her plan, but said she would commit state dollars if necessary.

The governor declared an immigration emergency last summer in Arizona’s four border counties, citing federal security shortcomings.

Proponents of her plan say the National Guard’s assistance in immigration efforts could help reduce illegal crossings and other border-related crime.

Critics say that the National Guard’s lack of training in immigration law could lead to racial profiling and that stationing troops at the border could hurt the morale of those who may have already served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Rev. Robin Hoover, president of the immigrant advocacy group Humane Borders, said putting troops at the border was acceptable if it improved commerce, such as speeding up inspections at ports of entry, but was “boneheaded” if they were supposed to arrest immigrants.