Border Patrol agents from Vermont working the Mexican border
About 100 Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers will support security operations in Washington DC aimed at restricting the predicted Freedom Convoy beginning later this week.
An organization called Thepeoplesconvoy.org claims yesterday was “the official departure date” from the west coast of California. Its website says $464,000 has been raised to support the convoy.
Vermont Soldiers from Headquarters Company, 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) will lead Vermont’s contribution to the Physical Security Task Force.
“Our Vermont National Guard Service members continue to step up and serve when called upon,” said Vermont Governor Phil Scott. “Their sense of service is admirable, and I know they will represent Vermont well, just as they did last year when they helped ensure the peaceful transfer of power during the Presidential Inauguration.”
The Guard worked with Governor Phil Scott to ensure Vermont could assist in this mission without impacting its support of the state’s COVID-19 response, or other state needs.
“I received nothing but praise for the support to the Capitol our Soldiers from the 172nd Cavalry provided last January,” said Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, Vermont adjutant general. “Their conduct increased our reputation for competence and professionalism, and I believe that is why Vermont received the call again.”
The element from Vermont joins nearly 600 National Guard service members deployed to conduct traffic control operations including the observance, monitoring, and restricting of any truck traffic at designated posts.
Border Patrol agents from Vermont sent to southern border – The Swanton Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol has been deploying its own agents to assist the busiest areas in Texas & Arizona, including the US Border Patrol Del Rio Sector, since March 2021, a Feb. 2 Border Patrol Facebook post said.
The Swanton Sector covers all of the Vermont/Canadian border, plus New Hampshire and parts of New York.
“We know firsthand the challenges our fellow agents face there every day. It is equally as challenging for our agents to be away from their families,” a Border Patrol spokesperson said.
The Swanton Sector Facebook page showed a February 1 photo of the processing center of Del Rio Sector. The caption claimed Del Rio Border Patrol agents had recently apprehended 15 subjects from Pakistan, Syria, Peoples’ Republic of China, Eritrea, Sudan, Tajikistan, & Uzbekistan. Between Oct 1 & Dec 31, Del Rio agents encountered subjects from 84 different countries.