The Pentagon confirmed Wednesday that troops have been moved to Eagle Pass, Texas, to counter the threat posed by a new migrant caravan that’s arrived on the U.S.-Mexico border.
About 250 active duty troops were repositioned, officials said. They include military police, medical personnel and engineers.
The police are to help with security around the border crossing, while the engineers will help harden the border crossing to prevent attempted breakthroughs. They are being transferred from operations in Arizona.
Medics, meanwhile, are being kept near the border to help care for migrants who do manage to cross. In recent months the government has reported a surge in those who are making it to the U.S. with serious medical conditions requiring emergency room visits, and the Trump administration has moved to ensure they get speedy care.
“This support is being provided under existing authorities and in accordance with previously-approved requests for support,” Capt. Bill Speaks said in a statement announcing the new deployment.
Homeland Security says a caravan with about 2,000 migrants has arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border near Eagle Pass.
President Trump said Tuesday that Mexican officials provided buses to help the migrants get to the border faster.
He says troops are needed to fend off “the tremendous onslaught” of migrants.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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