| News by join1440.com |
| Around 1,500 active-duty troops will be sent to the US-Mexico border in the coming days to assist with security measures, defense officials said yesterday. The move operationalizes one of President Donald Trump’s central campaign promises—to stem the flow of migrants entering the country—and a declaration of national emergency he signed shortly after being sworn in Monday. Border Patrol reported roughly 100,000 migrant encounters in December (see data), a figure that is historically high but down from a record of more than 300,000 the year prior. The troops will join roughly 2,500 Army Reserve and National Guard personnel, though their specific tasks remain to be seen (federal troops are generally prohibited from domestic policing; see explainer). In related news, the Justice Department said it would shift focus to immigration priorities, including utilizing the FBI’s terrorism task force to assist in efforts and ordering federal prosecutors to probe interference by state and local officials. Separately, Trump issued an order putting federal staff working in diversity, equity, and inclusion roles on paid leave as the administration seeks to eliminate the positions. See a list of orders and directives made by Trump since returning to office here. |
