Arkansas mobilizes National Guard
Washington (dpa) — The southern US state of Arkansas is mobilizing its National Guard to assist in immigration operations, as heated debate continues over the use of the troops in major cities.
Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that the state’s National Guard will support US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in their operations, which will focus on violent immigrants residing in the state without legal papers.
Around 40 National Guard members will handle tasks including the transport of detainees, including in the state capital, Little Rock.
A statement from Sanders’ office said that the deployment involves administrative and logistical support, and that the National Guard troops will not be armed.
National Guard members are not full-time active duty military personnel, but a part of the Army that can be deployed by the federal government or by a governor, often to help with disasters in states.
Use of the troops to help carry out domestic law enforcement operations, which President Donald Trump has advocated for as part of his crackdown on crime, is unusual and highly controversial.
Opponents argue that Trump’s military-style immigration enforcement stokes fear and tramples the jurisdiction of states and cities.
National Guard troops have already been deployed to the Democratic-led cities Los Angeles and Washington. Some states led by Republicans, like Sanders, have expressed support, however.
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