Military Support to Law Enforcement Agencies Along the United States Southwestern Border

Military support to law enforcement agencies is a key piece of solving the problem that exists along the southwestern border. Military support along the southwestern border has existed since the initial westward expansion of the United States. Changes that have occurred since initial support pertain to the regulations and authorities that the military operates within, supported agencies and the threat itself. With the decrease of Department of Defense forces from Iraq in the next year, there should be an increase in the support given to law enforcement agencies along the southwestern border. This increase alone will not solve the problem, but other measures taken in coordination with this will greater increase the probability of providing a suitable environment.