It was announced today that President Obama will send 1,200 National Guard Troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.
In 1916 Gen. John J. Pershing led American soldiers into Mexican territory in retaliation for a raid on Columbus, N.M., by Gen. Francisco "Pancho" Villa. Increasing clashes led to a very real threat of war between the United States and Mexico. On June 18, 1916, Wilson called out the National Guard to deal with the Mexican problem. As soldiers gathered on the Mexican border, President Carranza backed down, releasing a group of captured U.S. soldiers and sending a note of apology on July 4.
All State Militia Are Called Out
June 18, 1916
President Wilson this afternoon issued an order calling out the militia in every state in the Union, for service along the Mexican border. The reason assigned for the issuance of the order is that General Frederick Funston is in need of more men for patrol duty.
When the state militia of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas was called out on May 9, General Funston made a request for 150,000 men. The request was held in abeyance, awaiting developments.
Confidential advices were received at El Paso early in the afternoon that First Chief Carranza sent an ultimatum to President Wilson early this morning, advising him that if American troops were not removed from Mexico within seven days, a state of war would be considered as existing between United States and Mexico, and that the troops of the de facto government, at the end of seven days, would treat all armed Americans in Mexico as invaders.
I'm compiling a time-line of other president who have ordered troops to the border. Here is what I have so far:
1846
In the middle of the 1840s, the United States offered to buy
California from Mexico. The government of Mexico declined to negotiate.
U.S. President James Polk said use of force was the only way to
make Mexico negotiate. So, in the spring of 1846, he ordered
American soldiers to the Rio Grande River. The Rio Grande formed part of the
border between the United States and Mexico.
1877
President Rutherford B. Hayes sent soldiers to patrol the nearly "lawless"
Mexican border and cross it if necessary to pursue bandits. Mexican President
Diaz protested and sent soldiers to the border as well. Ultimately, economic
concerns motivated both sides toward diplomacy instead of military action.
1914
President Woodrow Wilson sent soldiers to Veracruz, Mexico, in an effort to
depose Victoriano Huerta, who soon resigned.
1916
Gen. John J. Pershing led American soldiers into Mexican territory in
retaliation for a raid on Columbus, N.M., by Gen. Francisco "Pancho"
Villa. Increasing clashes led to a very real threat of war between the United
States and Mexico. On June 18, 1916, Wilson called out the
National Guard to deal with the Mexican problem. As soldiers gathered on
the Mexican border, President Carranza backed down, releasing a group
of captured U.S. soldiers and sending a note of apology on July 4.
2006
President Bush sent thousands of soldiers to the border to perform support
duties that had taken up the times of immigration agents. This was supposed to
give the agents more time to
arrest illegal immigrants. The soldiers did not perform significant
law-enforcement duties.
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