Mass. Gov. cancels National Guard Deployment to Border: cites inhumane treatment of children

[cynatnite]

Governor Charlie Baker is canceling the deployment of Massachusetts National Guard troops to the border in light of recent reports about the Trump Administration’s practice of separating immigrant children from families.

“Governor Baker directed the National Guard not to send any assets or personnel to the Southwest border today because the federal government’s current actions are resulting in the inhumane treatment of children,” said Baker communications director Lizzy Guyton in a statement sent to WGBH News.

State officials announced early in June that Massachusetts National Guard troops would be deployed to the border to support in security operations. One helicopter, aircrew, and military analysts from Massachusetts were set to head to the border at the end of June.

The crew was to “provide aviation reconnaissance to offer an additional tool for observation and tracking of unlawful activity in the region,” according to the Mass National Guard.

The cancellation comes amid increased scrutiny over the Trump Administration's practice of separating children from families at the border, in some cases detaining children in makeshift facilities and, in one facility in Texas, cages. The practice has been condemned by the United Nations, a coalition of Catholic bishops, and numerous public officials, including former First Lady Laura Bush.

https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2018/06/18/baker-cancels-national-guard-deployment-to-border-citing-inhumane-treatment-of-children-and-families?utm_source=TWITTER&utm_medium=social&utm_term=20180618&utm_content=1599902545

[Leith]

1. Good

We need to hear more like this.

[smirkymonkey]

2. Even though he's a republican, Charlie Baker often ends up on the right side of

many issues.