Trump's stunt politicizing the National Guard '100 percent about securing his base—not our border'

Daily Kos Staff

Thursday April 05, 2018 · 9:05 AM PDT

2018/04/05 · 09:05

A Central American migrant woman and her daughter taking part in the "Migrant Via Crucis" caravan towards the United States receive breakfast as they camp at a sport complex in Matias Romero, Oaxaca State, Mexico, on April 4, 2018..The hundreds of Central Americans in the migrant caravan have infuriated President Donald Trump, but they are not moving very fast -- if at all -- and remain far from the US border. Trump lashed out in fury on April 2 over immigration, an outburst triggered by images of the "caravan". / AFP PHOTO / VICTORIA RAZO (Photo credit should read VICTORIA RAZO/AFP/Getty Images)

Buckle in kids, because we’re going for a ride. As a result of decades of militarization—and, most recently, fearmongering from Donald Trump—crossings along the U.S./Mexico border are the lowest they’ve been since Richard Nixon was president and Donnie Osmond had a number one song. You don’t have to believe me, because that data’s coming from Trump’s own Department of Homeland Security (DHS). "Overall removals are down,” said acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director and mass deportation architect Thomas Homan in December, “because the border is under better control than it has been in 45 years."

Yet since Easter, Trump has been ranting about an alleged invasion that’s supposedly bringing “drugs,” “crime” and waves of people who want to take advantage of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, despite the fact that he rescinded it last year and they wouldn’t be eligible to enroll anyway unless they Marty McFly’d themselves back to 2007 to be eligible in the first place. In fact, this so-called “caravan” is actually a group of mostly Central American women and their kids, and they are fleeing skyrocketing murder rates, gang violence and political unrest in their home countries. They are desperate.

Trump is also desperate. The midterms could be bad for Republicans. He fucked up a deal that would have given him his stupid wall and placated his base. Even Ann Coulter, who probably screams racist slurs at her tacos before she eats them, is threatening to revolt. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) already apprehends thousands every month, yet Trump wants to sic the National Guard on a group of asylum seekers that organizers say will probably number only 200 even if they reach our border. Come on, this is a stunt that wastes your tax dollars, makes a mockery of the Statue of Liberty, harms border communities and insults the National Guard by politicizing their mission.

“This decision isn’t about border security,” said Frank Sharry, executive director of America’s Voice. This is pure politics for Trump’s base, and at the cost of vulnerable people.

“The facts are these,” Sharry continues. “Unauthorized border crossings are at the lowest level in 46 years. A bipartisan commitment to border security over the past four administrations has led to a huge investment of technology, infrastructure, and border patrol agents. This, plus the growth of the Mexican economy, has led to a significant reduction in border apprehensions. Given that U.S. law and common sense prohibit putting soldiers—who are trained to apply force against enemies overseas—from performing domestic law enforcement roles, National Guards sent to the border will end up doing relatively menial tasks.”

Frank’s right. The administration is claiming that the National Guard will be assisting Border Patrol, but it’s really just to assist Trump with his base. According to NBC News, the National Guard—assuming governors go along with his plan in the first place—will likely not be allowed “to have physical contact with immigrants, according to three administration officials.” Feeling better about how our resources are being used already! Maybe if Border Patrol hadn’t sent a pack of agents to capture and detain a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy last year, they wouldn’t need assistance. Or maybe that just shows they don't have enough to do?

And, unsurprisingly, Trump’s claim about “our ‘Weak Laws’ Border” is a lie. Migrants are greeted “by a complex web of immigration laws,” according to the American Immigration Council, and in order to try to seek protection, asylum-seekers must present themselves at the border to “be given a screening interview to see if their fear is credible” and the possibility of a hearing with an immigration judge. Women and kids aren’t trying to evade border agents—they’re running into their arms.

“Trump is mobilizing the National Guard to the US-Mexico border for literally no good reason,” Vox’s Dara Lind stated. Well, maybe one obvious thing, as pointed out by Matt Hildreth, political director for America’s Voice: “Trump deploying the National Guard on our border after failing to get his wall is 100% about securing his base—not our border.” Trump and Stephen Miller may not like it because they’re racist assholes, but U.S. law and international law recognize the right to present oneself at the border to seek protection. It’s what has made us the shining city on the hill—or, at least used to.

Trump's stunt politicizing the National Guard '100 percent about securing his base—not our border'

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