Kansas National Guard and the Texas Border

Kansas’ Support of Texas and the Southwest Border

During the 2024 Legislative Session, two resolutions (HR 6035 and SR 1737) were adopted concerning illegal immigration, federal immigration policies, and the southern border of Texas. In addition, SB 28 appropriated $15.7 million from the State General Fund to the Adjutant General’s Department for the Southwest Border Mission in fiscal year (FY) 2024.

Resolutions

HR 6035 encourages the Governor of Kansas to provide the Governor of Texas support, including the resources of the Kansas National Guard and Kansas law enforcement agents, as well as equipment and supplies. The resolution also states the House of Representatives seeks further conversations with the Governor of Texas and Texas Legislature to formalize an agreement of support.

SR 1737 states the Kansas Legislature joins in solidarity with 25 states to support the Governor of Texas defending the state’s southern border and its citizens and that the President of the United States violated the oath of office by failing to faithfully execute federal immigration laws.

SB 28—Southwest Border Mission

The funds appropriated in SB 28 for the Southwest Border Mission must be expended in response to either (1) the request for assistance from the State of Texas pursuant to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (KSA 48-9a01) or (2) a memorandum of understanding between the Governor of Kansas and the Governor of Texas. The bill requires collaboration between the Adjutant General, the Governor, and the Response and Recovery Bureau Director to activate, mobilize, and deploy state resources and implement appropriate mutual aid plans and procedures.

The bill also specifies that the assistance being provided is for the prevention of drug trafficking, human trafficking, transactional criminal organizations, and other related crimes contributing to the emergency.

Per SB 28, any unencumbered funds for the Southwest Border Mission totaling more than $100 as of June 30, 2024, will be reappropriated for FY 2025.

The Governor vetoed these provisions of SB 28, but the veto was overridden by the Legislature. In the House of Representatives, there were 84 votes in favor of and 41 votes opposed to funding the Southwest Border Mission. In the Senate, there was a vote of 28 in favor of and 12 opposed to funding the Southwest Border Mission.

Kansas National Guard Deployment

The Governor declined to send any Kansas National Guard personnel or resources to the southwest border of Texas in FY 2024. However, some Kansas National Guard troops were deployed to the southwest border of Texas as part of federal efforts to stabilize the southern border. Those deployments are funded by the U.S. Department of Defense with federal moneys.

Other States’ Support of Texas and the Southwest Border

As of July 2024, 16 states have sent personnel, including members of the National Guard, state police officers, and highway patrol officers to the southwest border of Texas.