President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency at the U.S. southern border and is deploying more troops to assist in securing the border.
VOA reported that military aircraft are also being used to deport illegal immigrants detained by immigration agents.
1,500 U.S. military personnel have joined the approximately 2,500 troops currently stationed at the southern border with Mexico.
“President Trump is sending a very clear message to people around the world: if you are thinking of violating the laws of the United States of America, you will be sent home, arrested, and prosecuted,” said a White House spokesperson.
The Trump administration states that the troops being sent to the border will assist law enforcement in taking full control of the border and implementing physical barriers.
According to officials, more military personnel are expected to be deployed to the border in the coming weeks.
While some soldiers are armed for self-defense, none will arrest immigrants crossing the border, as U.S. law prohibits the military from performing such actions.
However, there are exceptions— the president can authorize the military to make arrests, conduct searches, and confiscate property within U.S. territory to stop what he calls an “invasion” of the country by immigrants.
“Trump is not creating a problem that doesn’t exist. He is clearly willing to do much more with border measures than others, especially his Democratic predecessors in the White House.”
Military forces and resources are being used for the deportation of illegal immigrants who have been detained by immigration agents.
A defense official stated that on Friday, two U.S. military aircraft, each carrying 80 immigrants, flew from the United States to Guatemala.
