COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster today directed the deployment of South Carolina National Guard troops to help secure the U.S. Southern border in Texas amid the ongoing national security crisis following the end of Title 42. 

"At the request of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, I have directed the deployment of South Carolina National Guard troops to Texas to help hold the line on the Southern border, " said Governor McMaster. "The safety and security of South Carolinians require that we stop the drug cartels, criminals, and terrorists from entering our country to peddle their poison."

This announcement follows a request for assistance from Texas Governor Greg Abbott and a border security briefing held on May 22 in Austin, TX, attended by Governor McMaster and eight other governors.  

The mission remains in the planning phase, and exact details, including the number of troops, will be finalized in the coming weeks with the goal of deployment by July 1.