Defense Secretary James Mattis is expected to signe an order to deploy hundreds of active duty troops to the southern border, as a caravan of migrants makes its way through Mexico toward the United States. The initial estimate is that 800 to 1,000 service members could deploy in logistical support of Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), such as setting up tents for border authorities. These active duty forces will not act in a law enforcement capacity; instead, they will strictly provide logistical and technical support to CBP. There are already about 2,000 National Guard troops called up by the governors of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas to support the Trump administration’s border security mission.
Additionally, President Trump tweeted a stern warning Thursday to the migrant caravan heading toward the United States– telling the thousands of people currently making their way through Mexico to turn around as U.S. troops are set to move to the southern border.
