The Arizona National Guard has been deployed along the border with Mexico, freeing up more than 20 U.S. border patrol agents for more intensive patrols.

The troops in Arizona are the first in what President George W. Bush says will be a contingent of 6,000, the Arizona Republic reports. Officials said they expect the deployment will release 500 Customs and Border Protection agents to the field.

Maj. Paul Babeu told the newspaper the National Guard's role is to support the border patrol. Members are expected to be unarmed except when they are on patrol in remote areas.

What we want the public to know is we do not have an enemy here, Babeu said. These immigrants are not our enemy. This is not about these people. It's about national security.

The National Guard deployment is being billed as temporary while more border patrol agents are being trained.