Washington ? The National Guard on Wednesday announced it would start sending soldiers to the Mexican border next week.

The chief of the National Guard, Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, told a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee that about 800 soldiers – or roughly 200 for each of the four states bordering Mexico – will be deployed as soon as next Wednesday.

The Guard is preparing to send 6,000 soldiers, in 21-day rotations, to assist the Border Patrol with non-enforcement tasks until the Border Patrol recruits, hires and trains an additional 6,000 agents.