DOD sending troops to southern border, will aid in deportations

The Defense Department, in response to executive orders from President Trump, will send 1,500 additional U.S. troops to the southern border, provide military airlift to deport more than 5,000 people and begin construction of physical barriers to prevent illegal crossings, according to a statement from acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses.

“President Trump directed action from the Department of Defense on securing our nation’s borders and made clear he expects immediate results,” Salesses said. “That is exactly what our military is doing under his leadership.”

Salesses, who said he convened a meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the commanders of U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Transportation Command as well as the chief of the National Guard Bureau, has established a special task force to “oversee expedited implementation” of Trump’s executive orders.

NORTHCOM will be the operational lead, supported by TRANSCOM, the military services and NGB working to assist the Department of Homeland Security.

Salesses said he is sending 1,500 U.S. troops to the southwest border, along with helicopters, crews and intelligence analysts “to support increased detection and monitoring efforts.”

“This represents a 60% increase in active-duty ground forces since President Trump was sworn in Monday,” he said.

The department will also provide military airlift for DHS deportation flights for “more than five thousand illegal aliens” detained by Customs and Border Protection agents in San Diego, CA, and El Paso, TX.

“DHS will provide inflight law enforcement, and the State Department will obtain the requisite diplomatic clearances and provide host-nation notification,” Salesses said.

The department will also begin “assisting in the construction of temporary and permanent physical barriers to add additional security to curtail illegal border crossings and illicit trafficking,” he said.

“This is just the beginning,” Salesses said. “In short order, the department will develop and execute additional missions in cooperation with DHS, federal agencies and state partners to address the full range of threats outlined by the president at our nation’s borders.”