The U.S. National Guard has pledged to provide "immediate support" after President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency at the southwest border.
Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses has ordered the National Guard to provide "immediate support" to military forces deployed at the border.
The Pentagon said on Wednesday that approximately 1,500 U.S. troops would be sent to the border this week.
Newsweek has contacted the Pentagon and National Guard for further comment via email outside of normal office hours.
Why It Matters
The National Guard's involvement adds to a significant military presence at the border. National Guard officials said that over 1,600 members are currently supporting federal border security efforts. Additionally, more than 4,100 personnel from the Texas National Guard remain on active duty under Operation Lone Star, reinforcing ongoing border security and enforcement operations.
What To Know
On Thursday, officials shared that they expect the majority of these troops to arrive in El Paso, including Fort Bliss, or San Diego by Friday. Once they arrive, they will be given their mission assignments and prepare to spread out along the border. These details were disclosed to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
The deployment includes approximately 1,000 Army soldiers from different units and 500 Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton in California.
Salesses said the troops will fly helicopters to assist Border Patrol agents and help construct barriers. The Pentagon also will provide military aircraft for Department of Homeland Security deportation flights for more than 5,000 detained migrants.
Currently, 2,500 U.S. National Guard and Army Reserve forces are stationed at the border, though no active-duty troops were there until this week, according to the AP. Both President Trump and former President Joe Biden deployed military personnel to the border during their time in office.
Trump signed a series of executive orders, including deploying U.S. troops to the southern border, ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants, dismantling programs initiated under President Joe Biden, and taking steps to target transnational criminal gangs.
Trump instructed the acting secretary of defense to deploy members of the armed forces and National Guard to the southern border.
Trump's executive order mandates the deployment of U.S. armed forces to protect the "country's territorial integrity."
The order will mandate the deployment of U.S. troops to the border under the direction of U.S. Northern Command. It will instruct the military to prioritize the nation's borders and territorial integrity in its strategic operations planning.
What People Are Saying
Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said in a statement: "The National Guard currently has over 1,600 Guardsmen supporting the federal border security mission.
"In conjunction with our Joint Service partners, we are developing additional support options to meet USNORTHCOM, USTRANSCOM, and Department of Homeland Security force requirements as this critical mission evolves." Additionally, more than 4,100 Texas National Guard personnel remain on duty at the border, supporting ongoing Operation Lone Star efforts.
A White House official said on inauguration day: "As such, the President and his team today will immediately prioritize tackling the national security and public safety threats that have resulted from our open border. So here are some of the things that we're doing to rectify this. Today, specifically, number one, we are going to declare a national emergency at the border."
What Happens Next
As National Guard units head to the border, their strategic placement and operations will evolve based on directives from U.S. Northern Command. The scope of this emergency response will likely expand as the Trump administration continues to prioritize national security concerns at the border.
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