Originally published May 1, 2023 2:00 pm PDT
Amid an anticipated surge in migrants due to the lifting of pandemic-era restrictions, the Biden administration has requested the deployment of 1,500 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, according to three anonymous administration officials, The Associated Press reports.
The officials, who requested anonymity as the request has not been officially approved, stated that the troops would primarily be tasked with administrative duties, allowing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents to operate more effectively in the field.
The troops will not engage in any law enforcement activities.
“At the request of DHS, DOD will provide a temporary increase of an additional 1,500 military personnel, for 90 days, to supplement CBP efforts at the border,” one U.S. official stated, according to CNN.
“These 1,500 military personnel will fill critical capability gaps, such as ground-based detection and monitoring, data entry, and warehouse support, until CBP can address these needs through contracted support. They will not be doing any law enforcement work.”
Pandemic-related restrictions have enabled U.S. officials to turn away tens of thousands of migrants at the southern border.
However, these restrictions are set to expire on May 11.
In anticipation of the expected increase in migrants, the Biden administration has already implemented significant measures to strengthen border security.
There are approximately 2,500 National Guard troops on the border currently.
