Gov. Jerry Brown said Tuesday he wanted to find a way to send National Guard troops to California's border with Mexico, to assist authorities on anything other than helping agents catch illegal immigrants.
The governor's comments come one day after the state refused Trump's initial request for guard troops to help with duties like monitoring border cameras, maintaining Border Patrol vehicles, and clerical duties that would help free up agents to get back into the field.
Brown says he wants to help with some of those missions requested by the federal government, but troops won't help agents catch illegal immigrants who may be mothers or children.
“There’s been a little bit of back and forth,” the governor said. “I think we can find common understanding here.”
California and the federal government have gone back and forth over the Trump administration's immigration policies. The Justice Department sued to overturn three of the state's so-called 'Sanctuary State' laws that Attorney General Jeff Sessions calls, "unconstitutional." The laws prevent local law enforcement from assisting federal agents in immigration enforcement cases.
The state has also seen a series of high-profile immigration sweeps, in cities up and down the state, as federal immigration agents look for illegal immigrants.
“Is this a war on California?” the governor asked.
Last week, Brown wrote that California would deploy 400 guardsmen, but they would be restricted in which duties they would attend to. The last week proved that the restrictions were so tight, troops couldn't be used.
Trump has fired back at Brown, once the governor backtracked on the deployment.
“Looks like Jerry Brown and California are not looking for safety and security along their very porous Border. He cannot come to terms for the National Guard to patrol and protect the Border. “The high crime rate will only get higher. Much wanted Wall in San Diego already started!”
Brown states that he believes California and the federal government will be able to make a deal.