It is Not Prudent to Deploy National Guard on Border

Security at the California México border has been strengthened to unprecedented levels over the past decade, which has resulted in historically low unlawful border crossings. Therefore, I don’t think it’s prudent to deploy the National Guard to militarize the border.

While a better use of those resources would be to send the National Guard to Puerto Rico to help fix the botched recovery efforts there, we can be doing more to curtail the flow of high-powered assault weapons from California into México and combat Russian drug cartel operations in California, including drug trafficking through our ports and illegal marijuana cultivation. I appreciate that Governor Brown has designed a clear and limited mission focused on real public safety threats – not phantom threats posed by women and children fleeing violence.

While a better use of those resources would be to send the National Guard to Puerto Rico to help fix the botched recovery efforts there, we can be doing more to curtail the flow of high-powered assault weapons from California into México and combat Russian drug cartel operations in California, including drug trafficking through our ports and illegal marijuana cultivation.

According to this agreement, our National Guard will not be used to help ICE enforce immigration laws, but instead will be focused primarily on assisting local law enforcement improve public safety in our communities.

The fact is, there is no massive influx of migrants coming into California. Our National Guard should be focused on what they do best, helping Americans recover from natural disasters, but I’m confident Governor Brown will not use our National Guard to harass or tear apart immigrant families in California.

By Kevin de León

Kevin de León is California’s Senate President Pro Tempore Emeritus.