Gov. Gretchen Whitmer approved the deployment of approximately 120 members of the Michigan National Guard to assist U.S. Customs and Border Patrol at the U.S.-Mexico border, the fifth deployment to the southern border -western Michigan National Guard since 2020.

Members of the 1463rd Transportation Co. will “provide increased support to CBP border security operations” and are expected to remain in the southwest area of ​​the border for up to a year.

“The Michigan National Guard is known nationwide for its professionalism, and it has stepped up to protect and serve its fellow Americans when called upon by both Democratic and Republican presidents,” Whitmer said Friday. “Now, approximately 120 Soldiers are once again preparing to respond to the call of duty at our southern border, adding to the robust efforts that have led to border crossings reaching a four-year low.

A record 14 million illegal border crossings occurred during the Biden-Harris administration, with nearly 3 million occurring in the latest fiscal year 2024, the second highest figure in U.S. history.

About 1.8 million Migrants from the past four years are “fugitives,” meaning migrants who were detected entering the United States but who have evaded capture and remain at large in the country.

“The Michigan National Guard maintains a high level of readiness and is ready to deploy and serve at a moment’s notice,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, director of the Department of Military Affairs and veterans of Michigan, in response to “As these Soldiers deploy in support of U.S. Northern Command, our Office of Family Programs will be there to provide support and resources to their families whose unwavering support is essential to the success of our soldiers.”

Over the past year, other Democratic governors have also used their National Guards to help resolve the border crisis, including California Governor Gavin Newsom in June. double the number of soldiers tasked with combating fentanyl smuggling at ports across the state.

The most recent data also shows that at least 1.62 million migrants come from four countries of particular concern: Cuba, Nicaragua, Russia and China.

Republican members of Congress expressed their concern on threats to national security posed by the Chinese Communist Party, including Chinese intelligence outposts operating in the United StatesChinese and other illegal border crossers enter US military basesas reported by The Center Square.