Pentagon: Unclear whether National Guard troops sent to border will be armed

U.S. officials say they have not determined yet whether National Guard troops sent to the border with Mexico to fight illegal immigration drug smuggling will be armed.

Marine Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie told reporters at the Pentagon Thursday that it has not yet been determined how many, if any, of the National Guard troops participating in the border security operation will be armed.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border had reached “a point of crisis” in his proclamation directing National Guard deployment to the border.

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has said she had been working with governors of the southwest border states to develop agreements on where and how many Guardsmen will be deployed.

National guard contingents in U.S. states that border Mexico say they are waiting for guidance from Washington to determine what they will do following Trump’s proclamation.

The National Guard in Texas said in a statement Thursday said the deployment is in “very early planning stages.” The Texas Guard says it has “firsthand knowledge of the mission and operating area” that will allow it to move seamlessly into the new role.

Meantime, Mexican senators and presidential candidates put aside differences to condemn Trump’s decision. The country’s Senate passed a resolution Wednesday calling for the suspension of cooperation on illegal immigration and drug trafficking in retaliation for Trump’s move.

Presidential candidate Ricardo Anaya went further, saying Mexico should limit anti-terrorism cooperation until the National Guard is withdrawn. Anaya is the candidate of a left-right coalition in the country’s July 1 presidential election.

Ruling-party candidate Jose Antonio Meade said that “independently of our political differences, it is time for all the presidential candidates to unite in defense of the sovereignty and dignity of the nation … to reject and repudiate thus kind of measure.”

The Mexican government said guard members “will not carry weapons or have immigration or customs duties.”