Last update: 03 May 2023, 00:38 HST
A migrant is detained by a US Border Patrol officer after entering the US from Mexico, in Sunland Park, New Mexico, US (Image: Reuters)
The deployment will add to the 2,500 troops already assisting the US Border Patrol and other agencies ready for the long-term planned jump of border crossings.
The United States will deploy an additional 1,500 troops to the border with Mexico, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday, ahead of an expected surge in migrants when Covid-era restrictions are lifted next week.
The Title 42 program, introduced under President Donald Trump to use pandemic measures to deport people crossing without migration documents, will end on May 11.
With the easing of coronavirus regulations — including Monday’s decision to lift vaccination requirements for inbound travelers — President Joe Biden’s administration can no longer enforce Title 42 for border controls.
“For 90 days, these 1,500 personnel will fill critical capability gaps, such as ground detection and surveillance, data capture and warehouse support,” said the spokesman, Brigadier General Pat Ryder, in a statement.
The deployment will add to the 2,500 troops already assisting U.S. Border Patrol and other agencies ready for the long-planned jump in border crossings.
The Department of Homeland Security stressed that military personnel will not be involved in law enforcement, but will instead contribute to safeguard activities such as border monitoring, computer services and warehouse support.
“This support will free up DHS law enforcement personnel to perform their essential law enforcement duties,” the department said in a statement.
On February 21, the Biden administration announced a new round of restrictions aimed at penalizing people who enter the country illegally.
They will first need to go through the online application process through a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) application, or first apply for asylum in one of the countries they cross to get to the US border.
Additionally, last week the State Department announced plans to set up processing centers for hopeful migrants in other countries, starting with Colombia and Guatemala.
Canada and Spain have also agreed to take in some of those cleared by processing centers to emigrate, US officials said.
“It’s an approach to making migration more safe, orderly, and humane and to advancing the interests of the American people,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)
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