Border Security and Military Support: Legal Authorizations and Restrictions

Abstract

The military generally provides support to law enforcement and immigration authorities along the southern border. Reported escalations in criminal activity and illegal immigration, however, have prompted some law makers to reevaluate the extent and type of military support that occurs in the Mexico-United States border region. On May 15, 2006, President Bush announced that up to 6,000 National Guard troops would be sent to the border to support the Border Patrol. Addressing domestic laws and activities with the military, however, might run afoul of the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of the armed forces to perform the tasks of civilian law enforcement unless explicitly authorized. There are alternative legal authorities for deploying the National Guard, and the precise scope of permitted activities and funds may vary with the authority exercised. This report will be updated as warranted.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 23, 2006
Accession Number
ADA450421

Entities

People

  • Stephen R. Vina

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Border Security
  • Congress
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Drug Interdiction
  • Homeland Defense
  • Homeland Security
  • Immigration Control
  • Law
  • Law Enforcement
  • Military Operations
  • Military Personnel
  • Military Training
  • National Guard
  • National Security
  • Security
  • Training
  • United States

Readers

  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Military Science