Texas National Guard troops to return from Illinois before Thanksgiving

Texas National Guard troops will return home before Thanksgiving after being deployed to Illinois last month to support federal immigration officials, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Saturday.

Nexstar “was ordered to return before Thanksgiving,” Abbott said.

Hundreds of Texas National Guard soldiers were deployed to Illinois on Oct. 7 after Abbott authorized their deployment to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and buildings during protests against federal raids targeting illegal immigrants in Chicago and other Illinois cities.

PRITZKER SAID TRUMP ORDERED 400 TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS TO BE SENT TO ILLINOIS, OREGON AND OTHER PLACES

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker criticized Abbott’s deployment, calling it an “invasion” and urging the Texas governor to withdraw his troops.

It is unusual for a governor to deploy the National Guard to another state without an invitation from that state’s governor. Democratic officials argued that such a deployment was unconstitutional and violated state sovereignty.

Hundreds of Texas National Guard soldiers were deployed to Illinois on October 7. (AP/Laura Bargfeld)

A legal battle over the deployment of troops to Chicago led a federal court to rule that the troops could not be mobilized but could remain in the state.

The case was appealed to the US Supreme Court, which has not yet issued its decision.

TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS REMOVED FROM 60-DAY ILLINOIS MISSION FOR FAILING ‘MISSION REQUIREMENTS’

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s appointment, calling it an “invasion.” (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION

Due to the court order, the Texas National Guard never served on active duty beyond securing their base at the U.S. Army Reserve training center.