Defense Secretary James Mattis is set to send up to 800 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border amid President Trump’s ongoing focus on a migrant caravan traveling to the United States.
Mattis could sign the order later today to send hundreds of U.S. service members to help with logistical support such as providing tents and fencing.
Thousands of Central American migrants camped out last night in southern Mexico before continuing their trek.
They are still some 1,000 miles away from the US.
The Pentagon, though, previously said it had received no official request from the White House to send more troops to the border.
Since last week, Trump has said he plans to bring in the military to reinforce the southern border as a group of thousands of migrants makes it from Central America.
The caravan is currently traversing Mexico, and Trump administration officials have vowed not to allow the group to cross into the United States.
Trump has framed the midterm congressional elections in two weeks in part as a referendum on the so-called caravan, which he has blamed on Democrats and portrayed as a dangerous horde ready to invade the United States.
This morning, while watching Fox and Friends, Trump tweeted that he is “bringing out the military for this National Emergency.”
“They will be stopped!” he added.
Brandon Judd of the National Border Patrol Council is right when he says on @foxandfriends that the Democrat inspired laws make it tough for us to stop people at the Border. MUST BE CHANDED, but I am bringing out the military for this National Emergency. They will be stopped!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 25, 2018
Trump has claimed, with no evidence, that the sea of humanity inching its way north from Central America to the United States is a pit of unsavory gangsters and terrorists.
In April, Trump directed Mattis to send 4,000 National Guardsmen to the U.S.-Mexico border amid frustrations at the lack of progress on his proposed wall.
About 2,100 Guardsmen are currently providing technical assistance at the border.