“(Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe) has authorized the Missouri National Guard (MONG) to assist with administrative, clerical and logistical duties at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facilities within the State of Missouri,” the governors official website states.
The National Guard should be called in to handle genuine emergencies, not to please the Trump administration or assist in mass deportations, which seems to be the case in this situation. With the support ICE will get from the state, there is a chance of an increase in people being wrongfully detained and mistreated.
Kehoe announced the authorization on Sept. 30, and said, “The Missouri National Guard is uniquely equipped to provide this essential administrative support, and we are confident their contributions will be invaluable to immigration enforcement efforts. Missouri is proud to join in the Trump administration’s efforts to keep our state and nation secure.”
According to the Missouri Governor’s official website, 15 Missouri National Guard troops will assist ICE in tasks such as data entry, case management and logistical support. This follows a recent pattern of National Guard deployments headed by the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump and his administration have deployed the National Guard to allegedly assist in crime control in cities including Los Angeles, CA, Washington D.C., Memphis, TN, Chicago, IL, and Portland, OR. The deployments were blocked in Chicago, though the administration is appealing the ruling. Trump has also suggested deploying the National Guard to St. Louis, claiming that it needs to be “saved.”
Kehoe’s involvement of troops has been criticised and condemned by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the ACLU of Missouri.
According to an ACLU press release, Luz María Henríquez, executive director of the ACLU of Missouri, said the authorization threatens Missouri people and businesses and ignores the needs of the St. Louis community that is still working on repairs and clean ups after the tornado that took place on May 16.
A NPR article states, “Some advocacy groups say Gov. Mike Kehoe’s activation of the state’s National Guard funnels more resources to immigration enforcement and frees up agents to conduct that enforcement more aggressively.”
An increase in immigration enforcement and raids may also lead to an increase in wrongful detentions.
According to ProPublica, at least 170 instances have occurred nationwide of citizens being held against their will by ICE agents since President Trump was elected for his second term.
An article by ProPublica states, “Americans have been dragged, tackled, beaten, tased and shot by immigration agents. They’ve had their necks kneeled on. They’ve been held outside in the rain while in their underwear. At least three citizens were pregnant when agents detained them.”
The state government should focus on helping its residents, not using its resources and state funding to harm the people in our community through mass deportations.
 |
Jasper Winterton-Feature EditorThis will be Jasper Winterton’s first year on ECHO staff. He made several contributions while taking journalism class his freshman year. |
Support our Sponsors
</a 