RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Experts say the Department of Defense’s (DOD) recent announcement to allow National Guard troops to aid in federal immigration enforcement, could mark a significant shift in the role of Virginia's National Guard.

"Using Virginia National Guard troops, even in support functions for immigration enforcement, is unusual in the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia," said VCU Political Science Professor John Aughenbaugh. "Primarily, what we've seen the National Guard be used for is domestic emergencies, like natural disasters."

However, on Monday, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that he supports the DOD's push.

"They won't be doing the ICE job, but they will be doing some of the administration and processing, and we're supportive of them doing that," Youngkin said

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