The National Guard is sending additional troops to the southern border in support of President Trump's directive to the military to help ensure immigration enforcement.
The National Guard Bureau said in a statement Wednesday night that it is adding more personnel to support U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which is leading special forces tackling border security missions with support from the Department of Homeland Security and Transportation (USTRANSCOM). announced that they would be dispatched. .
Gen. Steven Nordhaus, director of the National Guard Bureau, said more than 1,600 National Guard troops are already deployed to the border, along with more than 4,100 Texas National Guard troops.
“We are working with our joint service partners to develop additional support options to meet the force requirements of USNORTHCOM, USTRANSCOM, and the Department of Homeland Security as this critical mission evolves,” Nordhaus said in a statement. said.
Acting Defense Secretary Robert Saleses earlier this week ordered 1,500 active-duty soldiers to the border, and the detachment is expected to be fully deployed soon. It is made up of 1,000 Army soldiers and 500 Marines.
The Pentagon says the deployment is only an initial response and expects more resources and potentially up to 10,000 troops to be deployed, although that number is unlikely to be final. He said he did not.
President Trump also signed an executive order this week, immediately after taking office, declaring the border a national emergency and directing NorthCom to develop a detailed plan for border security.
For years, the United States has sent troops to the border under the Northern Joint Task Force mandate. This mission primarily consists of National Guard units that support Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with logistics, detection, surveillance, and transportation.
However, Saleses called on the military to assist with deportation flights and build temporary and permanent barriers at the border. The National Guard announced Wednesday it would increase support for military airlifts and barrier construction.
