I am introducing legislation that addresses this need in two ways. First. the bill calls for the continuation of Operation Jumpstart at its initial level of 6.000 guardsmen on the southwest border until we have control of that border. Second. the bill expands existing Federal law that allows Governors to utilize their States guardsmen for drug interdiction and counterdrug activities to allow Governors to also utilize their States guardsmen for border control activities. including constructing roads. fences. and vehicle barriers. conducting search and rescue missions. gathering intelligence. repairing infrastructure. and otherwise supporting CBP. The legislation provides that in order to utilize guardsmen for border activities. Governors must submit plans to the Secretary of Defense regarding the use of the Guard. and the plans must be approved by the Secretary of Defense in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Keywords matched
border control