Active-duty troops begin arriving at U.S.-Mexico border in Texas and California
Troops are beginning to arrive in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California, following President Donald Trump’s decision to declare a national emergency at the southern border.
Additional support of 1,500 active-duty troops, consisting of 1,000 U.S. Army personnel and 500 Marines from Camp Pendleton, California, will conduct missions along the border upon arrival.
“Active-duty ground forces have increased by 60 percent since President Trump was sworn in on Monday,” acting Defense Secretary Robert Saleseses said in a statement late Wednesday.
Pentagon sending 1,500 more troops to southern border: US official
A group of immigrants trying to enter the United States illegally are pushed against the border wall on March 21, 2024. In the process, the immigrants overpowered the Texas National Guard before they were stopped by the border wall. (James Breeden for New York Post/Large Post
There are already 2,500 U.S. service members at the southern border.
The force was ordered under the Biden administration in May 2023 under Title 10 authority, which received approval from former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and plans to There until the end of fiscal year 2025.
The National Guard is also increasing its support and coordination with USNORTHCOM and U.S. Transportation Command’s emergency requirements for additional personnel, military airlift, barrier construction and other capabilities to comply with presidential and defense directives, a National Guard statement said. Minister. affairs.
Border Campus Tom Homan
Active-duty military personnel are beginning to arrive along the southern border after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to address the immigration crisis. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
“The National Guard currently has more than 1,600 Guardsmen supporting the federal border security mission,” said National Guard Chief Steven S. Nordhaus. “Together with our joint service partners, we are developing Additional support options to meet USNORTHCOM, USTRANSCOM and Homeland Security Force requirements as this critical mission evolves.”
In addition, more than 4,100 Texas National Guard personnel remain on duty at the border in support of the ongoing Operation Lone Star.
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The senior official added that some troops deployed to the southern border are on calls or actively supporting California wildfires, even though they have been released from that mission and are being reassigned.
Fox News Digital’s Liz Friden, Stephen Sorace, Jennifer Griffin and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
