The US military is preparing to send about 1,500 additional troops to the border with Mexico, following an executive order on immigration signed by former President Donald Trump earlier this week, according to US officials.
These new troops will join the 2,200 active-duty personnel and thousands of National Guard members already stationed along the border.
During his previous tenure, Trump deployed 5,200 troops to bolster border security, and his successor, former President Joe Biden, also maintained military presence at the border.
An unnamed official indicated that this deployment might represent the first wave of reinforcements, with the potential for additional forces to follow.
The official also suggested that US military aircraft may be utilized to assist in deportations, although no final decision has been made.
On January 20, Trump issued an executive order directing the Department of Defense to deploy as many troops as necessary to achieve "full operational control of the southern US border."
The order also called for a 90-day review by the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to determine whether further measures, including invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807, are required.
The Insurrection Act grants the president authority to deploy the military to address domestic unrest. Historically, it has been used to suppress civil disturbances, though its application remains controversial.
Currently, around 4,500 National Guard personnel are stationed along the southern border under the direction of Texas's National Guard leadership.
Follow the latest news on Google News
