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New surfaced on Monday that the Pentagon plans to deploy 5,000 troops to the US-Mexico border, in advance preparation to stop a possible attempt by a migrant caravan coming from Central America to enter the US.
A migrant caravan is making it is way from the Central American countries of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.
President Trump tweeted on Monday:
“Many Gang Members and some very bad people are mixed into the Caravan heading to our Southern Border. Please go back, you will not be admitted into the United States unless you go through the legal process. This is an invasion of our Country and our Military is waiting for you!”
Despite President Donald Trump meeting with Mexico to enlist their help in stopping the caravan before it reaches the United States, it appears that Mexican authorities have been unable to stop the migrants, who continue to grow in number.
Last week, President Trump tweeted: “Sadly, it looks like Mexico’s Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National [Emergency]. Must change laws!”
Last week, the Pentagon announced it was planning to deploy 800 troops. However, as the migrant caravan has swelled to an estimated 7,000 people in number, and amid reports that migrants forced their way through a customs gate along the Guatemalan-Mexico border, it appears the Pentagon is going to significantly increase the number of troops it deploys.
According to an anonymous Department of Homeland Security official, who leaked details of the plan in advance to the Wall Street Journal, a formal announcement of the increase in troop numbers was expected to be announced on Monday afternoon. According to the report, troops will be sent from Texas, Arizona and California.
Under an order issued earlier this year by President Donald Trump, approximately 2,100 National Guard troops are currently deployed and spread out along the US-Mexico border to help support border patrol agents.
