Latest news with #Guardsmen
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Request for 20,000 Guardsmen to Help with Immigration Crackdown Under Review, Guard Chief Says
The Defense Department is reviewing a request from the Department of Homeland Security for 20,000 National Guardsmen to help with the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts, the chief of National Guard Bureau told lawmakers Tuesday. At a House hearing Tuesday, Gen. Steven Nordhaus was asked about a report last week in The New York Times that Homeland Security officials requested the Guardsmen to help with "interior immigration enforcement" -- which would mark a major change from the supporting role that the Guard has traditionally played in security at the southern border. "I do know that the Department of Defense has received a request for assistance," Nordhaus said. "It is just initially into the building and is being staffed. I don't have specific details or how the department will execute on that request for assistance at this time." Read Next: Veterans Mortgage Assistance Plan Approved by House After VA Ends Rescue Program The National Guard has buttressed U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents at the U.S.-Mexico border for years, assisting with tasks such as patrols and building barriers. But President Donald Trump, after winning with a presidential campaign message that vowed "mass deportations now," has increasingly turned to the military to deliver that promise. Trump has deployed roughly 10,000 U.S. troops to the border, as well as more heavy-duty equipment primarily meant for overseas combat, and given active-duty troops new roles such as patrols. He also designated a large stretch of land along the border as a military zone as a way to increase criminal charges against those arrested for crossing the border. The military has also been tapped for deportation flights and housing migrants at the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba while they await deportation. If the National Guard is tasked with helping immigration enforcement inside the U.S., it would be an unprecedented mission. At Tuesday's hearing before the House Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee, Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., pressed Nordhaus on several outstanding questions about the role the National Guard could play in deportations, including whether troops would be tasked with arrests, what legal authority they would have to conduct law enforcement activities, and what law enforcement training they would have. "I think there's a lot of legal questions that our Guardsmen and women need to know before they're assigned to duties, and I expect due diligence to be done," said McCollum, the ranking member of the subcommittee. While Nordhaus had few specifics to offer, in general, he vowed that the National Guard would adhere to the Constitution. "We operate under the authorities of either the state and the governor, or operate under authorities from Congress," he said. "And so we take those things very seriously, and we make sure that we're following the Constitution, we're following the law, and any policy and guidance." He also appeared to downplay the unprecedented nature of the request, comparing it to the support the National Guard provides law enforcement at presidential inaugurations. McCollum also pressed Nordhaus over how the Guard's increasing mission on the border is affecting its ability to train for war. Nordhaus brushed aside those concerns, saying that the Guard is "always ready, always there." That stands in contrast to Nordhaus' predecessor, who issued a stark warning last year about border missions distracting from training. Related: How Trump Is Leaning on the Military to Fulfill His Hopes of Mass Deportations and an Immigration Freeze
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
250 years later, legacy of North Bridge lives on in the National Guard
Two hundred and fifty years ago, on April 19, 1775, a small wooden bridge spanning the Concord River in Massachusetts became the crucible for a revolution that would reshape the world. The Battle of North Bridge was no mere skirmish — it was a defiant stand by colonial minutemen, ordinary citizens who transformed into defenders of liberty against the might of British regulars. This clash marked one of the opening salvos of the Revolutionary War and was sparked by escalating grievances. Alerted by Paul Revere's midnight ride, approximately 400 militiamen from farming towns converged at the timber-and-plank trestle, their resolve accompanied by the bright pitch of a fife and the steady cadence of a drum. When the 'shot heard 'round the world' rang out, it marked the birth of a nation and the warfighter legacy that lives on in today's National Guard. Among those minutemen was Capt. Isaac Davis, a farmer and blacksmith from Acton, Massachusetts, who epitomized the courage of that day. His company of mostly farmers assembled in his front yard, sharpening their bayonets and checking their powder. Faced with a monumental decision, his patriotism and duty propelled him forward. As smoke rose from Concord, signaling the town was under attack, Davis was asked to lead the advance across the bridge. 'I haven't a man who is afraid to go,' he declared. Moments later, Davis suffered fatal injuries from a British volley, his sacrifice cementing a pivotal moment in American history. These were not professional soldiers — they were farmers, shopkeepers and laborers who answered the call to service when liberty hung in the balance. They embody the enduring spirit of our National Guard today. 'People are relying on us' — National Guard evolves to fight wars, secure homefront Putnam County, Ohio, was named in honor of Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, a Massachusetts-born militiaman who rallied troops at Bunker Hill. I feel a deep personal connection to this history, given my hometown was in Putnam County. Just two months after the battle at North Bridge, Putnam's leadership at Bunker Hill proved citizen volunteers could fight with deadly effect. Though the British eventually took the hill, their heavy losses shattered any doubt about the resolve of colonial forces. From Concord to Bunker, the minutemen refused to yield. Their legacy forged an unbroken line of service and sacrifice, stretching across time to our National Guard today. The Battle of North Bridge was more than a fight; it was a declaration of the National Guard's dual mission that has defined the Guard since its first muster in 1636. This mission — serving both local communities and the nation — has carried the Guard through centuries of conflict and crisis. In the War of 1812, militia units shielded our fledgling republic. During the Civil War, they fought to mend a broken Union and redefine who we were destined to be as a nation. The 20th century saw Guardsmen enduring the muddy trenches of World War I, storming Normandy's beaches, flying through fiery skies over Europe and trudging through the frozen Ardennes. They braved Korea's bitter winters, persevered in Vietnam's steamy jungles and stood steadfast in the deserts of Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, whether battling hurricanes and wildfires at home or serving overseas on global battlefields, the Guard remains 'always ready, always there.' This 250th anniversary of the American Revolution compels us to see North Bridge not as a simple story, but as an enduring promise. The National Guard has remained a cornerstone of our defense — a lethal, community-based and globally engaged force uniquely equipped to serve both state and nation. At home, Guardsmen are often called upon to serve as first responders, combating natural disasters and cyberattacks with the same resolve as those original minutemen. Abroad, they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with active-duty forces, embodying the courage of those who put down their plows and picked up their muskets in 1775. The National Guard's strength lies in our roots: We are farmers, teachers and entrepreneurs drilling on weekends, firefighters swapping civilian uniforms for military ones, parents serving their families by serving their community, state and nation. This is what keeps the National Guard grounded, accountable and true to our warrior ethos. The Guard's adaptability is as vital today as it was in 1775. As threats evolve and become more complex, the National Guard continues to innovate, mastering new technologies and domains while holding fast to our core values. This flexibility extends beyond our borders through initiatives like the State Partnership Program, fostering international cooperation and readiness with our partners around the globe. Yet, at its heart, the National Guard remains a community-based force, standing ready, protecting life and property in collaboration with state and local partners. This balance between our local roots and our global reach makes the Guard indispensable to America's security and defense. The minutemen of North Bridge are not distant figures but another link in a chain connecting to every Guard member today. Their legacy is alive in our teachers who train, our nurses who deploy, our neighbors who serve. It's alive in our families who sacrifice alongside their soldiers and airmen and in our veterans who have carried the torch of service through generations. The National Guard is not just a military institution; it's a living embodiment of the liberty experiment that began back on that muddy bridge — a testament to the awesome power of ordinary citizens united for a greater cause. As we commemorate this historic day, we must recommit to the minutemen's promise. Their stand was not just for their time but for all time — a call to protect this nation, its history, its people and its ideals. Like Capt. Davis and his men who marched shoulder-to-shoulder toward an uncertain fate, we face today's challenges with the same resolve. We honor them by ensuring their sacrifice endures in a nation that remains free, resilient and united. Much has changed since 1775, but the National Guard's mission remains constant. We will answer when the nation calls, we will defend the cause of liberty, and we will aggressively pursue peace and prosperity through overwhelming strength. Let us lead boldly through uncertainty, through inspiration from our original minutemen who swapped plows for muskets and turned the tide of history. Let us pledge to be stronger together, building a stronger tomorrow. The minutemen's rallying cry still echoes — through every Guard member, every community, every heartbeat of this nation. May we carry it forward for generations to come, ensuring that the spirit of North Bridge remains alive in the courage, duty and unity of our National Guard. Always ready, always there! Gen. Steve Nordhaus serves as the 30th chief of the National Guard Bureau and as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Arkansas National Guard mobilizes for flood response
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas National Guard has mobilized troops in anticipation of heavy rains and flooding due the first week of April. Officials said Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders mobilized more than 40 Guardsmen in northeast Arkansas to assist local authorities with any evacuations. Arkansas National Guard to assist with winter weather response The guardsmen are organized into teams. Each high-water team has three light-medium tactical vehicles (LMTV), a four-wheel-drive 2.5-ton cargo and troop transporter vehicle, a Humvee and nine Guardsmen. Each LMTV can carry up to 16 passengers in the cargo compartment. The 875th Engineer Battalion in Jonesboro will provide three high-water teams. The 224th Maintenance Company in Mountain Home will provide one high-water team. In addition to the 36 Guardsmen on the ground, liaison officers at the unit level, Joint Operations Center and a public affairs team will round out support at a total of 42 Guardsmen. Arkansas National Guard mobilized as part of severe weather response 'The anticipated rainfall amount can prove to be challenging,' Arkansas adjutant general Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges said. 'In supporting the Governor's direction, the Arkansas National Guard will assist local authorities and help Arkansans get through this. We will use high-water teams where needed to meet mission requirements.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Long wait times at Lukeville border crossing as Mexico steps up security checks
Travelers headed toward the popular beach destination of Puerto Peñasco, or Rocky Point, might see long wait times because of heightened security measures at the Lukeville Port of Entry. After Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum deployed 10,000 National Guardsmen to reinforce the U.S.-Mexico border as part of the 'Operativo Frontera Norte' mission, troops stationed across the border began inspecting more and more vehicles crossing in and out of Mexico. About 200 soldiers were sent to the border town of Sonoyta, part of a collective of 1,500 Guardsmen distributed across the state of Sonora. Sheinbaum agreed to reinforce the border with additional military personnel to postpone President Donald Trump's plans to impose duties on imports from Mexico. Those troops have been tasked with preventing drug-trafficking from Mexico to the United States by conducting a variety of security operations, including helping Mexican Customs officers at ports of entry. Several people have shared their experiences with the changes at the land border crossing online in a Facebook group centered around the Mexico beach destination. Some who have posted in "Rocky Point Friends" over the last few weeks said they waited for more than two hours to cross into Mexico. Others caution that wait times vary significantly, and that individual experiences depend on the time of day. The Arizona Republic reached out to several members of the group for this story, but did not get any responses. 'Sometimes you'll experience some of those larger lines, because the controlling processes in Mexico has been increased,' Rafael Barceló Durazo, the cónsul of Mexico in Tucson, told The Republic. 'But that's something I would say that's contingent on the time when you're crossing.' Durazo emphasized that the Mexican government has not changed its policies regulating American travelers in response to the Trump administration's threat of tariffs on Mexican goods. 'There's been fake news on social media saying that President Sheinbaum announced that the U.S. citizens should have a visa in order to get into Mexico as tourists. That is a blatant lie,' he said. The latest immigration numbers: Deportations; Border crossings; DACA; Visas and more All policies, including the rules around the "Forma Migratoria Múltiple," have remained the same, Durazo said. The operational hours for the Port of Entry in Lukeville recently were extended after Dr. Óscar Eduardo Castro Castro, mayor of Puerto Peñasco, reached an agreement with Peter Bachelier, U.S. Customs and Border Protection's director of the port of Lukeville. Beginning March 1 to Oct. 10, the land crossing will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays. Travelers crossing into Mexico have also been asked to present their "Forma Migratoria Múltiple," an immigration document colloquially called a "tourist card." 'It's just registering your entrance into Mexico," Durazo explained. 'It's a permit ... to prove that your passport was controlled when you got into Mexico." Visitors who plan to go further into Mexico than the border region and will be in the country for more than seven days should get the FMM, Durazo said. The Instituto Nacional de Migración is responsible for issuing the "Forma Migratoria Múltiple." To acquire the FMM, individuals must fill out an application online or at the border crossing's local INM, present a current passport, and pay a fee of 575 Mexican pesos, less than $30 in American currency as of the end of February 2025. Ruben Cordova Jr. operates Elite Tours and Transportation, a tour company based in Rocky Point. Cordova takes visitors across destinations along the Gulf of California and further into the interior of Mexico. At the beginning of February, Cordova took seven American tourists to the popular whale-watching town of Guerrero Negro in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. He encountered multiple military checkpoints on the way, including one where Mexican officials told him that his clients did not have an entry stamp into Mexico. "After talking to him for about 30 mins he basically told me that I was transporting illegals and that they can get deported, take my vehicle away, pay a hefty find and possibly go to jail," Cordova wrote in a Facebook post. Cordova now asks that all of his clients obtain proper documentation before going on any trips, he told The Republic. "I strongly suggest you get it just in case, because you just never know," Cordova said. Have any news tips or story ideas about the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona? Reach the reporter at rromeroruiz@ Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @raphaeldelag. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rocky Point travelers face long border waits amid increased security
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Kelly signs proclamation honoring armed forces
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a proclamation honoring the armed forces and presented awards to five Kansas National Guardsmen on Tuesday. Kelly met with members of the Governor's Military Council, leaders of veteran support groups and State of Kansas Vietnam Veteran's Medallion recipients on Feb. 11. She also signed a proclamation designating March 29 as Vietnam War Veterans Day. 'While the men and women who serve in the Kansas National Guard are all worthy of our respect and honor, these Guardsmen have earned special recognition for their outstanding achievements and devotion to duty,' Kelly said. 'On behalf of all Kansans, I thank them for their dedicated service.' Kansas Army National Guard members, Sgt. 1st Class Cody Breon from Phillipsburg and Spc. Joseph Minder from Lawrence will receive the Army Commendation medal for first-place finishes as Best Warrior Noncommissioned Officer and Best Warrior, respectively. Why is the Moon turning red next month? Kansas Air National Guard members recognized are Master Sgt. Hunter 'Dial' Thurston from Wichita for Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, Staff Sgt. Darian Leasher from Maize for Outstanding Airman of the Year and Tech. Sgt. Rachel Pence of Topeka for Honor Guard Member of the Year. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
