Pentagon Deploying 2,100 More Troops to Border – Do You Support the Deployment?

What’s the story?

• The Pentagon has approved a Department of Homeland Security request to send 1,100 active-duty troops and 1,000 members of the Texas National Guard to assist in securing the U.S.-Mexico border and providing support in migrant holding facilities.

"Active duty DOD military personnel are assisting Customs and Border Protection agents in CBP facilities by periodically monitoring migrant well-being, and reporting suspicious, violent, or medically related unresponsive behavior," one of the officials told CNN.

• The Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the use of active-duty service members for law enforcement within the U.S. unless they are specifically authorized by Congress.
• DHS will provide "mission specific training" for the National Guard personnel, according to a statement by Pentagon spokesman Maj. Chris Mitchell.
• Some National Guard members will "provide supplemental holding support to CBP at CBP's temporary adult migrant holding facilities in Donna, Texas and Tornillo, Texas," Mitchell said. Others will "assist DHS law enforcement personnel with operational, logistical, and administrative support."

"Migrants will be supervised by DHS law enforcement personnel," Mitchell added.

• Trump's use of the military continues to draw ire from critics, including lawmakers who have expressed concerns that the administration is misusing the military to push a political agenda.

What do you think?

Do you support sending more troops to the border? Should Congress authorize the troops for law enforcement duties? Take action above and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Asia J. Sorenson)