Trump’s decision is not based on policy, but on riling up anti-immigrant base
The following is a statement from Mario Carrillo, America’s Voice Texas Director, in reaction to the Trump Administration announcement to deploy National Guard troops at the U.S. – Mexico border:
By deploying the National Guard, President Trump proves once again that he doesn’t care about the wellbeing of border communities throughout Texas, and the other states that share a border with Mexico. This is not only unnecessary, but it’s entirely wasteful and will only add more fear and uncertainty to what border residents already experience.
In Texas, those who live along the border already have to worry about Border Patrol and ICE, and because of SB4, also worry about local law enforcement. Now, they will have to worry about the National Guard patrolling their streets as if they were in a war zone. For those who live along the border, our communities aren’t a setting for the latest episode of President Trump’s reality show, but are places where people live, work and collaborate with our brothers and sisters from the other side of the border.
Border apprehensions remain at historic lows and net migration from Mexico is zero. This isn’t about enacting policy or keeping our country safe: it’s about politics and enticing Trump’s nativist base. We must continue to reject these policies that further militarize our border communities and empower them to fight back in the voting booth.
