Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), whose district covers the U.S.-Mexico border, said he supports President Trump's decision to send 1,500 troops to the southern border.
However, he added that the move would be costly and it was important to use the military as effectively as possible.
“I support them, but please keep in mind there's only so much they can do,” Cuellar said in an interview on NewsNation's “The Hill.”
“They have no enforcement,” he continued. “I don't want them to sit in a car or a vehicle. I don't want them to be there with a camera joystick. I want them to do what they can offer.”
Cuellar said the military could provide surveillance, provide helicopter support and provide certain temporary barriers.
“We have to make sure we use the military in the right way, because stationing troops is very expensive, very expensive,” he said.
Cuellar said the military could help provide surveillance, helicopter support and certain temporary barriers.
“I'd rather hire Border Patrol agents,” he said. “And you know, we have a problem recruiting that talent. We put money into 22,000 new Border Patrol agents and we still haven't been able to hire that amount. No.”
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Acting Secretary of Defense Robert Sales is expected to sign a release order sending up to 1,500 troops to help secure the southern border as President Trump pushes to stem the flow of migrants.
The exact number of troops and troops to be deployed remained in flux as of Wednesday.
The Hill is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns NewsNation.
