1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web98-767 FUpdated September 17, 1998U.S. Military Participation in Southwest Border Drug Control: Questions and Answers(name redacted)Specialist in International Security AffairsForeign Affairs and
2、 National Defense DivisionSummaryAmong its counternarcotics activities in the United States, the U.S. military providessubstantial assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies (LEAs) upontheir request to control drug trafficking through the four southwest states that borderMexico
3、. About two decades ago, Congress began to authorize expanded U.S. militarysupport to other U.S. agencies in enforcing U.S. laws, particularly counterdrug laws. Overthe last several years, however, Department of Defense (DOD) funding for counterdrugactivities along the Southwest border has dropped f
4、rom a high of $186.7 million in FY1992to $105.6 million in FY1998. This military border presence is controversial. Some arguethat the militarization of the border alienates and endangers residents, and contravenesthe historical separation of military and law enforcement functions. Others judge it an
