Measure seeks to keep Guard on the border

Mitchell amendment would extend its presence till Patrol is up to speed

By Josh Brodesky and Tom Beal

ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Over the last two years, thousands of National Guard troops have assisted U.S. Border Patrol agents along the Mexican border, and most of Arizona's congressional delegation wants to keep it that way.

A proposed amendment by Rep. Harry Mitchell, a Demo-crat who represents much of Maricopa County in Arizona's 5th Congressional District, would extend the National Guard presence indefinitely until the Border Patrol is fully staffed along the border.

Since 2006, 17,300 National Guard soldiers and airmen have voluntarily deployed to the Mexican border to support the Border Patrol under a program known as Operation Jump Start, said National Guard spokeswoman Capt. Kristine Munn.

Their primary mission, said Munn, has been aviation support, including search and rescue, but the Guard has also put in roads, fences, vehicle barriers and wells. It has observed the border, "acting as the eyes and ears of the Border Patrol," but has "no law enforcement duties whatsoever," Munn said.

At the program's peak, 6,000 soldiers were stationed along the border, 2,400 of them in Arizona.