Schwarzenegger mobilizes California National Guard as part of federal effort to secure border
By APFriday, July 16, 2010
Schwarzenegger mobilizes National Guard to border
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is mobilizing members of the California National Guard as part of a federal effort to deter drug trafficking and illegal immigration along the border with Mexico.
His order on Friday supports President Barack Obama’s plan to have 1,200 National Guard troops support federal border protection, customs and immigration agents.
Obama asked California to deploy 224 Guard members for as long as a year.
The move comes amid a national debate over an Arizona law that directs police to conduct immigration checks when they are questioning people about possible legal violations. There must be a “reasonable suspicion” the person is in the country illegally.
It’s the second time Schwarzenegger has ordered Guard members to the border. He backed a similar federal effort in June 2006.
