US sends 5,200 troops to Mexican border to stop immigrants
The Pentagon confirmed that troops were sent to the Southwest border to control the flow of migrants from Central American countries pouring north.
According to the announcement on October 29, the Pentagon launched Operation Loyal Patriot, mobilizing 5,200 soldiers, including armed forces, to the border area with Mexico.
The US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) confirmed that the operation is to support Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to strengthen security at the country's southern gateways. Military helicopters will support CBP agents in apprehending illegal border crossers, according toAP.
On the same day, US President Donald Trump posted on Twitter warning that he would be tough on the wave of migrants flooding from the South.
“This is an invasion of our country. The military is waiting for you,” he wrote. Getting tough on immigrants is a common message for Mr. Trump as the midterm elections in the country are just over a week away.
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| General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, commander of USNORTHCOM. Photo:Getty. |
“We will secure the border,” USNORTHCOM commander Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy emphasized the same message at a press conference alongside CBP chief Kevin McAleenan.
The Air Force general said that 800 troops have been sent to South Texas. The maximum number of troops will be 5,200 by the end of the week. The Pentagon is prioritizing stabilizing the situation in Texas, followed by Arizona and California.
The goal now is to stop illegal border crossings, according to Kevin McAleenan. He acknowledged that CBP is overwhelmed by the surge in asylum seekers. The U.S. government is working with Mexico to share the responsibility of receiving and controlling the caravan from Central America.
Under US law, the military is not allowed to participate in immigration enforcement activities. The units participating in this campaign are mainly police, engineers and some other support units.
The military has been assigned to perform indirect tasks such as logistics support for border guards. The US Transportation Command also announced the deployment of a C-17 aircraft to transport military equipment to the southwest border area. Military barriers have begun to be erected at some border crossings.
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| Thousands of migrants have been walking across Central America and Mexico in recent weeks to reach the southern US border. Photo:AP. |
News of large migrant caravans moving north from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala has been making headlines in the US in recent days. The first caravan has shrunk from 7,000 to about 3,500 people. However, a new caravan has emerged and is attracting more people.
Security concerns are growing, especially as violent incidents have become more frequent. On October 29, a group of about 600 migrants from the second caravan clashed with Mexican police at the border bridge with Guatemala. On October 28, another group attacked Mexican police with rocks and sticks as they tried to cross a river.
The solution to this migrant influx is controversial in the US. President Trump has warned of the possibility of foreign criminal gangs entering the US. Many others argue that the migrant caravans are mainly poor people, fleeing rampant crime in their home countries and need help.