Most Americans probably haven’t heard of the Posse Comitatus Act. But the federal law, passed in 1878, bars active duty troops from being used as police within the borders of the US. And some Democrats believe that the 5,000+ troops station along the southern border are in violation of the law, despite the Trump Administration’s claims that they’re only there to “support” the CBP personnel.
But in recent weeks, troops have been stationed inside a migrant detention facility in Donna, Texas. They were initially deployed there to perform welfare checks – the troops are allowed to perform emergency medical care – but their duties have ‘evolved’ to include acting as de facto prison guards, something that would be a clear violation of Posse Comitatus, NBC reports.
Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., who chairs the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Readiness, says having active duty troops monitor migrants is “teetering on the edge of the posse comitatus law.”
“It’s not the role of the U.S. military to be a prison guard,” he said. “This is certainly mission creep” and could put U.S. military service members “in a precarious legal situation.”
One former defense official told NBC that monitoring migrants is probably “a bridge too far.” If soldiers tried to break up a fight, they’d be in clear violation of the law.
Right now, interactions between the troops and migrants are limited “as much as possible,” said John Cornelio, particularly at the detention facility where troops are now stationed.
“At the Donna Facility specifically,” said Cornelio, “unarmed military personnel monitor the migrants for signs of medical distress, possibility for unrest, unusual behavior and unresponsiveness. In the event of a medical emergency or other reportable event, our military personnel immediately notify CBP personnel on-site who respond to the incident or event in question.”
“Monitoring the wellness of migrants is not a law enforcement function, and this activity has been reviewed by our legal staff to ensure compliance with the Posse Comitatus Act and applicable law. CBP personnel are always present to provide force protection, physical security and perform their law enforcement duties.”
One defense official told NBC that the troops weren’t “guarding” the migrants, saying they were just monitoring them for signs of health issues and performing welfare checks. If the troops spot a problem, they’re supposed to alert a CBP official and have them handle the situation, unless there’s a medical emergency or something else that would require an emergency response. Furthermore, the troops aren’t armed, which cuts against claims that they’re performing a ‘police’ function.
Expect pro-migrant groups to try and challenge the troop deployments to the border: we’re surprised they haven’t already.
Another two-winged bird with both wings serving the assault on the nation. The troops are assisting, not preventing the invasion. Seems this would make the Posse Comitatus argument a moot point.
They do whatever they want anyway, and always find ways to justify their actions. They’ll use the troops in whatever capacity advances their communism. Yeah, violation of Posse Comitatus, smothered with treason for aiding the enemy.
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“And some Democrats believe that the 5,000+ troops station along the southern border are in violation of the law, despite the Trump Administration’s claims that they’re only there to “support” the CBP personnel.”
And yet, those SAME Democrats claim that invaders simply STROLLING across our SOVEREIGN border ISN’T in violation of the law?
What level of RETARDEDNESS will the sheeple continue to accept?
Posse Comitatus has long been rescinded by the NDAA passage and Patriot Act- so they say…
Obaba already did it with his phony ‘Boston Bombing’. And of course, Amerikans celebrated the door-to-door invasion and search, violating just about every Right in the book….but who am I to say anything?
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Mission creep? Defending the border from foreign invasion is not policing the people who are here legally.
This foreign Invasion is helped by israel just like in EU for the sole purpose of white genocide.
Nothing seems to be able to stop it. No one will act, just complain until it’s too late.
-flek