By temporarily taking over these functions from the USC&BP, they freed up sworn agents to field units.

[1] The rules of engagement for the operation were very restrictive and only allowed escalation to lethality when met with an equal amount of force from another.

The National Guard set up entry identification team sites to spot undocumented aliens.

At its peak there were as many as 6,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen on the mission with more than 29,000 from every state and territory.

During the operation: In 2008, the Armed Forces Service Medal was authorized for National Guard forces deployed to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California to assist the Department of Homeland Security with securing the southwest U.S. border.