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The Pentagon said Wednesday it has begun deploying 1,500 active duty troops to help secure the southern border, putting in motion plans U.S. President Donald Trump laid out in executive orders shortly after he took office to crack down on immigration, AP reports.
Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses said the troops will fly helicopters to assist Border Patrol agents and help in the construction of barriers. The Pentagon also will provide military aircraft for Department of Homeland Security deportation flights for more than 5,000 detained migrants.
The number of troops and their mission may soon change, AP quoted Salesses as saying in a statement. “This is just the beginning,” he 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,” Salesses said.
Defense officials added that the department is prepared to provide many more troops if asked, including up to 2,000 more Marines.