Up to 1,700 National Guardsmen will deploy across 19 states to support ICE in President Trump’s immigration crackdown, effectively serving as support for an interagency effort.

The American Civil Liberties Union on Thursday sued Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R-WV) for deploying the state’s National Guard to Washington, D.C. Morrisey was one of several red-state governors to send National Guard troops to the capital to supplement President Donald Trump’s crackdown on crime in Washington,

Even as soldiers with the West Virginia National Guard begin arriving in Washington, D.C., to meet President Donald Trump’s call to help quell crime in the nation’s capital, a lawsuit could undo that deployment.

The Trump administration reportedly plans to mobilize up to 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states in the coming weeks to support its immigration and anti-crime crackdowns, a dramatic expansion of the controversial operation that’s seen federal agents and Guard troops carrying out activities across Washington, D.C.

The lawsuit contends that the deployment is an unprecedented political act, not a response to a genuine emergency and violates West Virginia law that outlines specific, limited circumstances for out-of-state Guard deployments.

Governor Patrick Morrisey said in Saturday's statement: "West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation's capital. The men and women of our National Guard represent the best of our state, and this mission reflects our shared commitment to a strong and secure America."

National Guard troops in at least seven states will begin a federally funded mission to help ICE manage its swelling population of detained migrants.

In President Trump’s second term, many of his most high-profile initiatives have doubled as opportunities to test the loyalty of Republican leaders.

Members of the West Virginia National Guard arrived in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday on orders from Gov. Patrick Morrisey to support President Donald Trump's "Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force."

The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia has filed a lawsuit to halt the deployment of the West Virginia National Guard to the streets of Washington, D.C.

The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia has filed a lawsuit in an effort to prevent the deployment of hundreds of West Virginia National Guard membe

Columnist Will Sutton on President Donald Trump's move to take over Washington, D.C. "Though the federal government is covering of the cost to have our National Guard and other troops in D.C., Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser didn't ask Trump for a federal intervention.