LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today directed the Arkansas National Guard to send soldiers to the southern border to support the Texas National Guard as they work to combat illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human trafficking at the border due to the failed policies of the Biden Administration.

The Arkansas National Guard is sending approximately 80 guardsmen to support border control efforts along the nation’s border with Mexico from July 1st through 31st. The Texas National Guard will remain the lead agency and the Arkansas Guardsmen will remain under the control of Governor Sanders in their area of operations.

“President Biden’s failure at our southern border puts the entire country at risk. States must now step up where the President has failed to repel illegals, fight the cartels, and stop human and drug trafficking,” said Governor Sanders. “Arkansans have always been quick to step up when others are in need – this time is no different.”

"The Arkansas National Guard is uniquely qualified to assist with border control operations," said Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, Adjutant General for the Arkansas National Guard. "Our Soldiers and Airmen have been providing these same capabilities to combatant commanders and local law enforcement agencies for years."

President Biden ended Title 42, which law enforcement used to expel illegal immigrants from the country quickly, on May 11th, threatening the country with a surge of illegal immigration. Illegal border crossings reached a record high last year and are on track to go even higher this year. 

The Arkansas Guardsmen deployed to the southern border will enhance the Texas National Guard’s surveillance and reconnaissance abilities and provide increased detection and tracking capabilities to their partners.

This is not the first time that Arkansas has participated in missions along our nation’s southern border. The Arkansas National Guard deployed troops between June 2006 and July 2008 in support of Operation Jump Start, providing more than 750 soldiers and airmen in support of the Border Patrol. The Guard currently has 50 soldiers conducting operations in Texas.