Vetting process, coordination meetings underway as National Guard prepares to deploy to border

Officials with Customs and Border Protection held a news conference Friday regarding the impending deployment of National Guard to the border.

Customs and Border Protection Deputy Commissioner Ron Vitiello said they have already conducted initial planning and coordination meetings and are in the process of completing site surveys for deployment. Vitiello says the National Guard will provide logistical support to help agents along the border.

“We have begun the vetting process for the individuals that are going to be working with us. We are going to move into the next phase. As we continue that we are going to begin to schedule training for the Guard personnel that are going to be working with us, helping them to operate our surveillance systems, our cameras, radios sensors,” Commissioner Vitiello said.

Officials said apprehensions along the Southwest border increased over the past 12 months, reigniting a need for border security. ABC-7 previously reported on the 200% increased reported by CBP.

“Nearly 300,000 per year illegally enter the country. That’s not acceptable. So we appreciate the support we have received from this administration,” Commissioner Vitiello said.

It’s unclear how many guardsmen will be deployed in the El Paso Sector. El Paso Sector Patrol Chief Aaron Hull said plans are currently being finalized. He added the mission in the borderland will be different from other parts of the border.

“The difference in the needs on the Southwest border from San Diego to Brownsville are going to be quite different. We’ve got a desert trade, they’re looking for further east at a river situation. The capabilities that the Guard can bring to bear in all of these locations are important to us and we’re assessing our particular needs based upon the resources we have in each individual location,” Chief Hull said.