SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - In an effort to accelerate hiring and training of more border officer, National Guard members were deployed Tuesday to ports of entry along San Diego County's border with Mexico.
In total, 24 National Guard troops joined Customs and Border Protection personnel at Port of San Diego, and ports of entry in San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, and Calexico.
They will not be taking part in any enforcement activities, according to CBP, instead, helping in surveillance support and operations. The deployed troops will not be armed.
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Up to 106 additional National Guard troops may be sent to the ports of entry in the coming weeks, CBP added.
"The contribution of the National Guard will undoubtedly improve our effectiveness at the ports of entry by enabling those officers to focus on enforcement activities," Pete Flores, CBP Director of field operations for San Diego, said. "We look forward to working collaboratively to further our national security mission."
CBP says the additional troops will allow border personnel to focus on securing areas of the border against drug, weapons, and human smuggling.
