Arizona Gov. Ducey addresses National Guard deployment to border
NOGALES, Ariz. - Authorities say 60 of 338 Arizona National Guard members who will be deployed for President Donald Trump's plan for troops at the U.S.-Mexico border have arrived at the border town of Nogales.
Chief Border Patrol Agent Rodolfo Karisch of the U.S. Border Control's Tucson Sector and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Friday said the troops' arrival does not represent border militarization.
Last week, President Trump said he wanted to send 2,000 to 4,000 National Guard members to the border to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
>>VIDEO: Gov. Ducey news conference
Karisch and Ducey say the Arizona contingent will perform support roles such as road repair, aerial surveillance and camera operation. They say that will free up Border Patrol agents to concentrate on law enforcement.
Thus far, Ducey, along with the governors of New Mexico and Texas, have committed 1,600 National Guard members to send to the border.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.