(ConservativeInsider.org) – Kristi Noem, the Republican Governor of South Dakota, announced that she will deploy 60 state-based military forces to the southern border later this year. This marks Noem’s fifth deployment since 2021 amid ongoing tensions between Republican governors and the Biden administration over immigration policy.
Noem’s announcement reflects her recent calls for a unified national response to what she describes as an “invasion” at the border, portraying the current situation at the border as a “warzone.” She stated that the soldiers’ primary mission is to assist in the construction of a wall along the border aimed at reducing the surge of human trafficking, drug cartels, and illegal immigration.
This latest deployment comes on the heels of a visit to Eagle Pass, Texas, where Noem witnessed the influx of migrants firsthand. In an address to the South Dakota Legislature last month, she urged all 50 states to join forces against Mexican drug cartels.
However, the governor’s actions are not without controversy. Her previous deployments have drawn criticism for their cost, with a $1 million donation from a Republican donor helping to fund a 2021 deployment. Additionally, the legality of Texas’ border enforcement measures, including barbed wire fencing challenged by the Biden administration, remains in question.
The deployment also coincides with a record number of migrant encounters at the southern border. In December 2023, over 300,000 individuals were apprehended attempting to cross, marking the highest monthly total ever recorded. This surge has put immense strain on the Border States like Texas, leading to accusations from Republicans that the Biden administration is failing to secure the border.
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas, who has repeatedly clashed with the Biden administration over border policy, welcomed Noem’s support. He expressed gratitude for the governor’s leadership and the bravery of the troops protecting the Nation.
However, critics say Noem’s move is a political stunt that ignores the real reasons people migrate. According to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), she argued that building walls and deploying troops won’t solve the problem. Instead, she pushes for a comprehensive reform that tackles the border crisis humanely and offers a path to citizenship for illegal aliens.
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