Border Mission For National Guard Troops Extended Through September
SAN DIEGO (CBS) — It will be at least a couple more months before the National Guard troops along California's southern border can return home.
The 1,200 soldiers helping the Border Patrol along the U.S. - Mexico border were scheduled to leave at the end of June. But now the Obama administration has ordered them to remain at their post until September 30.
KNX 1070's Tom Reopelle reports the move is expected to give the government more time to train additional agents to help secure the border.
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"This mission has gone on since August of 2010 and in that period of time California has helped to apprehend more than 4,000 illegal aliens," said Kim Holman with the California National Guard.
So what do the troops think about the extension?
Holman said most of them reacting positively to the three-month extension at what is considered one of the Guard's most popular deployments.
"It's been a very, very effective mission, and we're a visible deterrent out there," said Holman.
