The widely expected deployment, coming in Trump’s first week in office, was an early step in his long-touted plan to expand the use of the military along the border.
Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses said the troops will fly helicopters to assist Border Patrol agents and help in the construction of barriers. The Pentagon also will provide military aircraft for Department of Homeland Security deportation flights for more than 5,000 detained migrants.
Officials said there was no plan now for the troops to do law enforcement, which would put them in a dramatically different role for the first time in decades. Any decision on this would be made by the White House, they said.The active duty forces will join the roughly 2,500 U.S. National Guard and Reserve forces already there. Until this deployment, there were no active duty troops working along the roughly 2,000-mile border.
The last time the act was invoked was in 1992 during rioting in Los Angeles in protest of the acquittal of four police officers charged with beating Rodney King. Trump said during his inaugural address on Monday that “I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places in which they came.”
In his first term, Trump ordered active duty troops to the border in response to a caravan of migrants slowly making its way through Mexico toward the United States in 2018. More than 7,000 active duty troops were sent to Texas, Arizona and California, including military police, an assault helicopter battalion, various communications, medical and headquarters units, combat engineers, planners and public affairs units.
Border Pentagon U.S. Military U.S. News
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Guardiola Reaches 500 Games, Manchester City Ends 5-Game Winless RunManchester City secured a much-needed 2-0 victory over Leicester City, marking Pep Guardiola's 500th game in charge. Erling Haaland scored, along with Savinho who netted his first goal for the club. The win ended City's five-game winless streak and brought Guardiola his 362nd victory in 500 games.
Read more »
S&P 500’s 2024 Rally Shocked Forecasters Expecting It to FizzleBy this time last year, the stock market’s rally had blown past even the most optimistic targets and Wall Street forecasters were convinced it couldn’t keep up the dizzying pace.
Read more »
This $20 Breakfast Sandwich Maker Has Over 500 5-Star ReviewsA highly-rated breakfast sandwich maker from Hamilton Beach is currently available at Target for just $20. This appliance makes cooking breakfast sandwiches quick and easy, with a non-stick design and removable parts for easy cleaning.
Read more »
Deadly Fire at Dallas Shopping Center Kills Over 500 AnimalsA fire at Plaza Latina shopping center in Dallas claimed the lives of over 500 animals, primarily small birds, due to smoke inhalation. The fire also resulted in the deaths of several other animals, including chickens, hamsters, dogs, and cats. No human injuries were reported.
Read more »
Deadly Dallas Shopping Center Fire Kills Over 500 AnimalsA fire at a Dallas shopping center resulted in the tragic death of over 500 animals, primarily small birds, due to smoke inhalation. Firefighters battled the blaze for two hours, successfully extinguishing it but lamenting the loss of all animals in the pet shop.
Read more »
Rodgers Throws 4 TDs, Joins Exclusive 500-Touchdown ClubAaron Rodgers threw four touchdown passes, including Nos. 500, 501, 502, and 503 of his career, in what could have been his final NFL game. He led the New York Jets to a victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Read more »