stems.gohsep.la.gov
Louisiana has agreed to send National Guard troops to Texas to assist with the southern border. Director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Jacques Thibodeaux said they’ve officially received the request from Governor Greg Abbott via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
“The governors are working out the logistics or how it’s going to happen and working through the process. It involves the Louisiana legislature also so I’m happy to say that the process is moving forward,” said Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux said Governor Abbott’s emergency request is for military support of 50 soldiers at one time for three 30-day iterations, which is 150 guardsmen over 90 days.
“It’s called the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), and it’s what states use to support each other for natural disasters and manmade events and just levels of general support,” said Thibodeaux.
In his own law enforcement experience with the US Marshals Office in New Orleans, Thibodeaux said criminal activity often goes together with illegal immigration and an unsecured border presents a terroristic threat. He said helping Texas secure the border is vital to Louisiana and the country.
“And I think anytime you can do something to curb illegal immigration is a positive thing that everybody needs to contribute to,” said Thibodeaux.
Louisiana guardsmen will assist the Lone Star state with security points, roving patrols, and engineering operations along its 1,250 miles of border with Mexico.
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