Nebraska Troopers Will Go to Border; No Specifics on Duties

Nebraska State Patrol troopers are headed to the U.S.-Mexican border in Texas later this week. Officials say they’ll help enforce the law there. But there aren’t many specifics about what they’ll be doing.

Gov. Pete Ricketts announced Saturday Nebraska will send about 25 State Patrol troopers to Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott has requested help securing the border. Abbott and Ricketts say President Joe Biden’s administration has failed to deal with what they say is a crisis of illegal immigration, and states need to act. Ricketts’ announcement said the troopers will “partner with the Texas Department of Public Safety to provide law enforcement assistance.”

Nebraska Public Media News requested an interview with State Patrol Superintendent John Bolduc to talk about what, specifically, the Nebraska troopers would be doing in Texas. The Patrol declined the request, with spokesman Cody Thomas saying “As an assisting agency, we can’t discuss the operational aspects of this mission.” Thomas also cited safety concerns.

Similarly, Texas Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Ericka Miller said “the department does not discuss operational specifics.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Steve Bansbach said that federal agency “defers to the Governor’s Office to speak to any steps they are taking to increase an enforcement posture.”

Rose Godinez of ACLU Nebraska said policing the border should be done by the federal government, not Nebraska state troopers.

“Customs and Border Patrol (sic) have more than enough resources to serve their function. Last we checked it was $18 billion. So it adds to the question of why our state troopers are needed there? Also it adds to the question is this the best use of their time when their duty is to serve us Nebraskans? Some of that time could actually be used in building relationships with black and brown Nebraskans,” Godinez said.

In the request they wrote for help, Texas Gov. Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey wrote “Securing our border with Mexico is the federal government’s responsibility. But the Biden Administration has proven unwilling or unable to do the job.” The White House did not respond to a request for comment. (To see the request for assistance, click here): Abbott-Ducey_Compact_Letter_to_Governors.pdf

The governors’ letter, and Abbott’s disaster proclamation last month, list illegal immigration, human trafficking, drug smuggling and damage to crops, livestock, homes and ranch fences among the problems at the border.(To see Gov. Abbott's disaster proclamation, click here): Abbott disaster proclamation.pdf

Godinez used the fence problem as an example to question Nebraska’s priorities.

“Nebraskans may wonder, just as I do, is sending Nebraska’s State Patrol to go protect cattle fences a good use of taxpayer dollars or even a thoughtful approach to meeting Nebraskans’ needs?” she said.

With officials refusing to give details, it’s difficult to know specifically what the Nebraska troopers will be doing. But in his request for assistance, Abbott said they would be able to do anything Texas law allows its troopers to do, adding “Critically, this will include the power to arrest migrants who illegally cross the border into our territory.”

Spokesmen for the Nebraska State Patrol and Ricketts’ office did not respond to a question about whether Nebraska troopers are trained to enforce immigration laws. The Patrol did say the troopers would deploy late this week and begin work in Del Rio, Texas next Monday. Ricketts’ announcement said they would be there no longer than 16 days.