BBC reported late last night that 1,500 U.S. troops are being deployed to the southern border to assist with the placement of barriers, although they will not be involved in “law enforcement.” This is part of Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration.
However, BBC reported today on an update regarding the number of troops, with an internal memo [a written document] from the government, seen by BBC’s American partner CBS News, suggesting that up to 10,000 troops could be deployed.
The Customs and Border Protection memo, dated January 21—one day after Trump’s inauguration—outlines a plan to send “10,000 soldiers” to assist the agency. The initial increase of 1,500 troops, which will be deployed to San Diego in California and El Paso in Texas, will join the 2,500 troops already stationed at the border.
The memo also states that U.S. Department of Defense bases may be used as “holding facilities” for migrants awaiting deportation.
Hours after being sworn in as president, Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, stating that “America’s sovereignty is under attack.”
Immigration was a key campaign promise for Trump—he has made repeated promises to close the border and ramp up enforcement.
