Pillen announces another Nebraska National Guard deployment to the border

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska will be sending more National Guard members and state troopers to the southern border.

Gov. Jim Pillen announced the deployment on Monday.

“Every state is a border state, and what happens along our nation’s southern border affects us right here in Nebraska,” Pillen said in a press release. “We’re seeing record amounts of fentanyl and heroin flood into our communities as Mexican cartels take advantage of the disastrous border policies of the federal government.”

The governor said 35 members of the Nebraska National Guard and 10 troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol volunteered “for this important mission.”

The soldiers and airmen will deploy to Eagle Pass, Texas, in early April and stay for 90 days, according to the governor’s office.

The troopers will be in the El Paso, Texas, area for two weeks in April.

Texas has requested assistance from other states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

“The Nebraska National Guard is always ready to respond when our fellow Americans are dealing with an emergency, whether it is here in our own backyard, in another state, or overseas,” said Maj. Gen. Craig W. Strong, Nebraska’s adjutant general.

Last year, Pillen sent 60 National Guard soldiers and 10 state troopers to the border.

Opponents criticized the cost of the trips, which totaled almost $1 million.