San Francisco, April 12: California Governor Jerry Brown on Wednesday has agreed to deploy National Guard troops along the state's border with Mexico, but insisted that personnel will not be used to support any immigration enforcement, the media reported.
Brown's announcement on Wednesday comes less than a week after President Donald Trump called for National Guard troops deployment along the US-Mexico border until a border wall is built, reports Politico news.
The Republican governors of Texas, Arizona and New Mexico have already committed to participate.
The three states will initially mobilise some 1,600 troops as part of Trump's decision to provide military support to the US Border Patrol in order to tackle the increase in irregular immigration.
But Brown, whose state has clashed repeatedly with Trump over immigration and other issues, was far more cautious in his response.
In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, the four-term Democrat said California "will accept federal funding to add approximately 400 Guard members statewide to supplement the staffing of its ongoing programme to combat transnational crime" but the personnel will not be used to enforce immigration laws.
"But let's be crystal clear on the scope of this mission. This will not be a mission to build a new wall. It will not be a mission to round up women and children or detain people escaping violence and seeking a better life. And the California National Guard will not be enforcing federal immigration laws," the Governor wrote.
Brown noted that California has previously supported "similar targeted assistance in 2006 under President Bush and in 2010 under President Obama".
He called the work "important" and said that of about 250 California Guard members currently staffing a programme to combat transnational crime, 55 are at the California-Mexico border, Politico news reported.
"Your funding for new staffing will allow the Guard to do what it does best: support operations targeting transnational criminal gangs, human traffickers and illegal firearm and drug smugglers along the border, the coast and throughout the state," Brown wrote.
"Combating these criminal threats are priorities for all Americans, Republicans and Democrats."
In response to Brown's announcement, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders in Wednesday's White House press briefing said: "We're also glad to see California Governor Jerry Brown work with the administration and send members of the National Guard to help secure the southern border."
Last week, Trump said he wanted to send between 2,000 and 4,000 troops to protect the border, while the Pentagon authorised the use of the higher limit of that range on April 6.
The US and Mexico share a 3,111-km long border stretching from east to west, passing four US states: Texas (1,997 km), New Mexico (289 km), Arizona (599 km) and California (226 km).
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Iqra aims to create leaders for community: Syed Mohamed Beary at Annual Day in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: “The aim of Iqra is to create leaders for the community,” said Syed Mohamed Beary while presiding over the Annual Day 2026 and Hifz felicitation programme of Iqra Arabic School, highlighting the institution’s focus on leadership and long-term community development.
Presiding over the event, Syed Mohamed Beary, Chairman of the Moulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi Educational and Charitable Trust, Mangaluru, spoke at length about the journey of the institution since its launch in 2000. He recalled the early days of the school and said it was started with a clear vision to serve the community through education rooted in values. He expressed pride in how the institution has grown over the years, both in strength and in its role within the community.
He said Iqra Arabic School was not built only to provide basic education, but to nurture individuals who can take responsibility and guide society. According to him, the institution has consistently worked towards shaping students into capable leaders who can face present-day challenges while staying connected to their roots. He stressed that the focus has always been on building character along with knowledge.
The programme was compered by Moulana Farhan Nadwi, who introduced the vision of the institution and said the school strives to prepare leaders and scholars who can respond to modern challenges faced by the community.
Chief guest Moulana Maqbool Kobatte, Principal, Jamia Islamia Bhatkal, congratulated the students and their parents for completing the memorisation of the Qur’an. He said these Huffaz are part of Allah’s promise of preserving the Qur’an until the Day of Judgement. He described the Qur’an as a guide for life and said while recitation is important, it is equally necessary to practise its teachings. He also noted that in the race for worldly success, people are moving away from values such as humanity, brotherhood and unity.
Taha Mateen, Chairman and Managing Director of ACURA Speciality Hospital, said the community should not forget its Islamic roots and history. He recited lines of poetry by Iqbal: “Kabhi ae nawjawaan Muslim tadabbur bhi kiya tu ne, wo kya gardu tha tu jiska hai ek toota hua taara.” He stressed the need to understand the Qur’an and recognise its importance, and urged students to continue learning across different fields without stopping at any stage. He congratulated the students, parents and the management.
Dr. C P Habeeb Rahman, Chairman and Managing Director o Unity Health Complex, Mangaluru said there is a need for introspection within the Muslim community to understand what has gone wrong and why it has fallen behind despite contributing to global civilisation. He also spoke about the lack of leadership within the community.
Students presented cultural programmes based on Islamic teachings during the event. Two of the books authored by the students of the institution were also released during the event
A total of 18 students who completed Hifz this year were felicitated and presented with mementos by the guests. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Moulana Salim Khalifa, the principal of the institution.
