Kehoe authorizes National Guard to help ICE in Missouri

By: Matthew Sanders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Kehoe said Tuesday that he has authorized the Missouri National Guard to help at ICE facilities in Missouri.

The mission will begin on Wednesday, Kehoe's office wrote in a news release.

"This decision comes in response to a request for assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Department of War (DOW) to ensure the resources and personnel needed to effectively enforce immigration laws and maintain operational control of the border," the release states.

Guard members will help with administrative, clerical and logistical duties at ICE processing facilities, the statement says.

“Public safety, keeping Missourians safe, and upholding the rule of law is our administration's top priority,” Kehoe is quoted in the news release. “The Missouri National Guard is uniquely equipped to provide this essential administrative support, and we are confident their contributions will be invaluable to immigration enforcement efforts. Missouri is proud to join in the Trump administration's efforts to keep our state and nation secure.”

President Donald Trump has used National Guard and federal troops in multiple cities to crack down on crime and assist with immigration enforcement. He has also discussed sending in troops to cities such as Chicago, Memphis and Portland, Oregon.

Kehoe has also joined U.S. Sens. Eric Schmitt and Josh Hawley in calling for ICE agents to be trained at Fort Leonard Wood in Pulaski County.