BATON ROUGE – Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards released the following statement regarding the presence of the Louisiana National Guard providing assistance on the Southern border:

“In May, the State of Louisiana, along with 8 other states approved a request for aerial support to our neighbor in Texas. Under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, requests for assistance along the Southern border were routinely granted. This three-person Louisiana National Guard team and one helicopter provides air support to monitor drug interdiction, support anti-terrorism efforts, and provide additional security to custom and border control agents on the ground.  This mission is identical to those routinely performed upon request by the Louisiana National Guard since 2010.  This crew plays no role, direct or indirect, in the ill-conceived policy of separating families.  In keeping with our longstanding practice of providing assistance to a neighboring state, this support team will remain in place until mid-July at which time they will return and resume their primary mission of enhanced counter drug support to local law enforcement and to prepare for the height of the Atlantic Hurricane Season.

“I, like many people, am deeply disturbed by the unnecessary and abhorrent policy of separating children from their families. It is an unconscionable practice that is inconsistent with our fundamental values as Americans. I urge Congress and the President to act quickly to end this crisis.”

Gov. Edwards will make additional comments on his monthly call-in radio show, “Ask the Governor.” The radio show is streamed live from gov.la.gov.