WESLACO – National Guard troops will be staying along the U.S. – Mexico border longer than expected.

Troops will be in the Rio Grande Valley until 2019 to continue helping Border Patrol.

KRGV’s Angelo Vargas spoke with a landowner who has property on both sides of the border. He says he questions whether the troops are necessary.

We reached out to the National Guard about their mission at the border.

The Vice Director of National Guard Bureau Domestic Operations and Force Development, Brigadier General Jeffrey W. Burkett, responded with this statement:

“Moving forward, the National Guard will be ready to support as needed. We continue to emphasize three National Guard priorities: fight America’s wars, secure the homeland and sustain enduring partnerships. The National Guard is providing critical capabilities to civil authorities involving aviation and airlift, medical evacuation, emergency operations, transportation and security.”

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