LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today directed the Arkansas National Guard to send soldiers to the southern border to support the Texas National Guard as they work to combat the illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human trafficking created by the failed policies of the Biden Administration.

The Arkansas National Guard is sending approximately 40 Guardsmen to support border control efforts along the nation’s border with Mexico from April 1st until May 30th. The Texas National Guard will remain the lead agency and the Arkansas Guardsmen will remain under the control of Governor Sanders in their area of operations.

“President Biden opened our southern border to an invasion of illegal immigrants, drugs, and human trafficking and is now criticizing Texas for stepping up where his administration has failed. I’ve seen the crisis our President created firsthand, and I know the incredible men and women of the Arkansas Guard can help supplement Texas’ efforts to keep our border secure and our states safe,” said Governor Sanders.

“The Arkansas National Guard has a rich history of helping neighboring states in a crisis,” said Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, Arkansas’ Adjutant General. “We assisted Texas last year, and have done so under previous administrations. Our Soldiers will be well prepared and ready to assist the Texas National Guard’s operations.”

Under President Biden’s watch, illegal border crossings have surged to record levels. Last December saw more arrests for illegal border crossings than any month previously recorded, part of the nearly 9 million illegal border crossings since President Biden took office, including an estimated 1.7 million “gotaways.”

Governor Sanders visited the border with 14 other governors on February 4th to show their states’ support for Texas. She previously visited the border in July of 2023 to show her support for the Arkansas Guardsmen she deployed there.

The Arkansas Guardsmen deployed to the southern border will enhance the Texas National Guard’s surveillance and reconnaissance abilities and provide increased detection and tracking capabilities to their partners.

Governor Sanders previously deployed approximately 80 Guardsmen to the border in July of 2023. Governor Hutchinson deployed 40 Guardsmen to the southern border for 90 days in the summer of 2021. The Arkansas National Guard also deployed troops between June 2006 and July 2008 in support of Operation Jump Start, providing more than 750 soldiers and airmen in support of the Border Patrol.