Virginia Gov. Deploys National Guard Troops to Southern U.S. Border in Response to Ongoing Crisis, Federal Failures

In response to the ongoing crisis at the Southern U.S. border, Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced that Virginia will deploy National Guard troops to aid in security and control efforts.

According to an official press release from the Office of the Governor, this move is in response to Texas’ request for assistance via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a nationwide mutual aid agreement.

The directive, named ‘Executive Directive Four,’ responds to the “Ongoing Southern U.S. Border Crisis,” with a focus on stemming the increased supply of illegal drugs and human trafficking incidents that have become a critical issue in recent times.

“The ongoing border crisis facing our nation has turned every state into a border state,” Governor Youngkin stated.

He further added that states were stepping up to fill the void left by federal leadership, saying “As leadership solutions at the federal level fall short, states are answering the call to secure our southern border, reduce the flow of fentanyl, combat human trafficking and address the humanitarian crisis.”

Governor Youngkin issued this directive after a briefing from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who on May 16, 2023, had requested states to provide military support to help manage the deteriorating conditions along the border.

Virginia, as a founding member of the EMAC, will be deploying 100 troops in response to this request.

The crisis at the border is not just a matter of regional security; the impact is felt on a nationwide scale, affecting states far from the border.

The flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the country is taking a toll on Virginia communities, with a reported average of five Virginians dying per day from fentanyl.

“Given the intensive resource demands on Texas, the dangers posed by the fentanyl crisis, and impact of the border crisis on criminal activity to the Commonwealth, Virginia will do its part to assist the State of Texas’ efforts with the coordinated deployment of Virginia National Guard soldiers to assist in key aspects of their mission,” Youngkin further stated in the release.

This response shows a concerted effort by states to address the border crisis collectively, highlighting the shared responsibility of tackling nationwide challenges in the absence of adequate federal action.

Last week, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced his authorization to deploy 100 Tennessee National Guard troops in an effort to secure the U.S. Southern Border.

“America continues to face an unprecedented border crisis that threatens our nation’s security and the safety of Tennesseans,” Gov. Lee said at the time. “The federal government owes Americans a plan to secure our country, and in the meantime, states continue to answer this important call to service.”

LATEST VIDEO