Alabama Republican Governor Kay Ivey announced Thursday that she would deploy 275 National Guard troops to the United States-Mexico border to help curb the migrant crisis.
In a statement, Ivey declared, “Every state has become a border state under the current policies, and Alabama remains committed to being an integral part of the mission to protect our southern border.”
“The Alabama National Guard always stands ready to protect our citizens, and I thank our 275 troops, as well as their families, for their important service to our country,” she added.
In September, Ivey joined 24 other governors, led by Montana Republican Governor Greg Gianforte, in signing a letter to President Biden demanding changes to the administration’s open-border policies.
“The crisis at the southern border extends to every state,” the letter said. “As a result of your policies which incentivize illegal immigration, our states are carrying the burden of both the years-long surge in illegal border crossings and cartels’ coordinated trafficking of drugs and human beings.”
The governors’ letter noted that “states are on the front lines” of the migrant crisis and “working around-the-clock” to provide migrants with shelter space, food, and other aid. They called on the Biden administration to “provide honest, accurate, detailed information on where the migrants admitted at the southern border are being relocated in the United States, in addition to comprehensive data on asylum claim timelines and qualification rates, and successful deportations.”
The governors blamed the administration for 5.8 million illegal crossings and the subsequent strain on states’ public resources.
Last month, over 200,000 migrants illegally crossed into the United States. At least 13 governors have agreed to send law enforcement officers to the border to help with the increase in illegal crossings. In May, Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis deployed 800 National Guardsmen to the United States-Mexico border. California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom also increased the number of troops at the state’s southern border.
Ivey previously sent some troops to the southern border in 2018 to assist the Texas National Guard and Border Patrol, Fox News Digital reported.
Ivey’s recent deployment of troops received praise from the state’s Republican senators, Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt.
Tuberville wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “Alabama is stepping up and doing @JoeBiden’s job for him.”
Britt stated, “When our nation is in crisis, Alabamians will always answer the call of duty. Thanks for your continued leadership, @GovernorKayIvey.”
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