Trump’s Mexico Border Mission Could Reach Last Year’s Peak Size, Reports Reuters

U.S. Military to Deploy 3,500 Troops to Mexico Border

The U.S. military plans to send 3,500 additional troops as part of its mission at the Mexico border, raising the total troop count close to its peak level of approximately 5,900 observed in November. This deployment is expected to be temporary.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith criticized Pentagon officials for not revealing this information during a committee hearing on the matter, stating, “This was at best an error in judgment, and at worst flat-out dishonesty.” He also noted that he had discussed the situation with acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan.

On the same day as the hearing, Shanahan indicated that thousands more troops would be deployed to the border, although the specific number of 3,500 was only made public later. Presently, about 2,350 troops are engaged in the border mission.

Smith emphasized the need for transparency, stating, “A phone call is not a substitute for transparency before Congress and public candor.”

The Pentagon has announced that the military will operate mobile surveillance cameras across Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas, with the mission planned to continue until September 30. Additionally, some troops will erect 150 miles of concertina wire by March 31.

This deployment of active-duty troops to the Mexico border was first approved in October, ahead of the midterm congressional elections, receiving support from Trump’s allies, including congressional Republicans.

However, detractors have labeled the deployment a political maneuver, criticizing Trump’s characterizations of caravans of Central American migrants, including women and children, as an "invasion."