Why we shouldn’t send the South Carolina National Guard to the southern U.S. border | Opinion
After Hurricane Helene in September was followed by wildfires in western North Carolina in January and Horry County this month, the role of South Carolina’s National Guard has never been more vital.
With South Carolinians recovering from the devastation of one disaster and now dealing with the effects of another, it is crucial to reflect on how essential these citizen soldiers are during our times of greatest need.
They have cleared roads, delivered supplies and provided a lifeline to those stranded by floodwaters. Their service has been a beacon of hope and a testament to the spirit of our wonderful state.
Yet, there looms a concerning possibility that could compromise the integrity and trust of the National Guard writ large. Discussions in Washington about repurposing the National Guard for immigration enforcement could severely diminish our ability to respond to natural disasters at home. With winter storms a current worry, fire season on the horizon, and hurricane season following, this is a risk we should not take.
How quickly we forget 2015 when the flood of a millennium ravaged our state, and 4,100 personnel were activated for the emergency. Their duties included supply delivery, medical aid, evacuations, rescues, building emergency shelters, the list goes on. These personnel are crucial to our state’s readiness when storm season returns.
Imagine a scenario where a storm as powerful as Helene strikes our state next season. Our response capabilities could be critically hampered if our Guard were stationed elsewhere.
This isn’t a hypothetical risk. It’s a potential reality that could leave our communities vulnerable to the threat of more destructive and frequent storms. Imagine another Hugo coming and devastating our coastline and midlands areas.
Hurricanes, fires and other disasters caused by nature cannot be prevented outright, but they can be prepared for. Part of that preparation involves the National Guard.
Deploying our Guard units for non-emergencies like immigration enforcement operations would not only strain our disaster readiness but also run contrary to the traditional role of the Guard. The National Guard’s mission is deeply rooted in community assistance and emergency response. This possible misuse of our state’s resources challenges the very principles of service and protection that define the Guard’s duty.
The South Carolina National Guard is an organization that has been there for the people of this state during floods, hurricanes, pandemics and other disasters. To take an organization that historically has helped this state through some of its most tragic times and turn its members into enforcers would not only widen the gulf of mistrust forming between the working class and government, but also be cruel.
The legal framework to justify such deployments, like the Insurrection Act, is intended for true national crises, not for enforcing immigration laws. Using this act to deploy the National Guard out of state during crucial times would erode public trust in an institution that is supposed to safeguard us all against genuine threats and disasters.
Gov. Henry McMaster must do everything in his power to keep the South Carolina National Guard focused on its core mission. Our leaders and legislators must ensure that these troops are available to respond to natural disasters, like wildfires and hurricanes, which are a recurring and inevitable challenge for our state. Redirecting their efforts toward immigration enforcement undermines their capability and readiness to address the immediate needs of our communities during emergencies.
It is important that we support policies that prioritize our local needs. We owe it to the hurricane and wildfire victims and to all South Carolina’s residents who rely on these citizen soldiers to be there when disaster strikes. Let’s not divert our most critical resources away from where they are needed most. Our safety, our recovery, and our community resilience depend on it.