US-Mexico Border: 1,500 Troops Coming Amid Fears of Migrant Surge

In response to worries that tens of thousands of migrants may flood the country if Title 42 is lifted, the Joe Biden administration has authorized sending 1,500 active-duty US troops to the US-Mexico border in the coming days, sources told Fox News.

Two senior US officials who know the discussions say that the American troops will come from various active-duty Army groups and will serve for 90 days in mostly administrative and transport jobs. It will free up law enforcement and the Border Patrol.

National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said that the deployment, which will last for 90 days, is consistent with past efforts to provide border support dating back to the George W. Bush administration.

The Department of Homeland Security requested the troops, according to the Pentagon, and they might come as soon as May 10.

The officials claimed the deployment of troops would be like the ones authorized by previous President Trump to the border. The troops would have weapons for self-defense, but they would not be helping law enforcement in any way.

US Migrant Crisis

The fiscal year of 2021 had the highest number of unlawful border crossings into the United States since at least 1960. Another all-time high, 2.76 million, was reached last year, BBC noted.

CBP Director Troy Miller testified before Congress last month that his agency expects more than 10,000 migrants to cross the border every day when Title 42 expires, which is more than double the daily average in March.

To stop the spread of coronavirus, the United States government initially invoked Title 42 in early 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic began, allowing for the swift expulsion of anyone trying to cross its border with Mexico, including asylum seekers.

By mandating that adult asylum applicants use an app to organize a meeting with US authorities or first claim asylum in another nation before making the journey to the US, the Joe Biden administration has proposed a plan to make it harder for migrants to claim asylum.

CBP One, the associated mobile application, went live in the first week of January and will remain in operation regardless of Title 42.

If they do not comply, migrants will not be eligible when they reach the border, and authorities can deport them immediately.

Human rights organizations disapproved of the proposal and its rapid deportation of some migrants, including asylum seekers.

Another measure the White House has taken to minimize the number of undocumented migrants entering the United States is to declare last month that it will establish immigration processing centers in Latin America.

The centers will begin in Colombia and Guatemala, examining migrants to see if they meet US entrance requirements.

Republicans Slam Joe Biden for Lifting Title 42

Since taking office in 2021, Democratic presidential candidate Biden has dealt with unprecedented numbers of migrants apprehended while attempting to cross the US-Mexico border illegally.

Republican frontrunner Donald Trump has accused Joe Biden of softening his party's extreme views. On the other hand, Biden has been criticized by some Democrats and immigration advocates for taking a tougher stance on border security in recent years, Reuters reports.

Democratic senator and chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Menendez criticized Biden's decision to send soldiers.

Brigadier General Pat Ryder, a spokesman for the Pentagon, said during a briefing that the 1,500 troops may arrive at the US-Mexico border as early as May 10.

He said the Pentagon is considering replacing active-duty troops with reserve members.

During a press conference, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador responded to questions about the deployment by saying that Mexico respects the United States' decisions because it is a sovereign nation.

There has been long-standing dissatisfaction among Pentagon leaders regarding military deployments to the border, with some officials privately contending that the humdrum chores are better suited for law enforcement authorities.

Immigration supporters have opposed previous attempts to send troops to the border.

"People seeking asylum should be met with humanitarian professionals, welcoming volunteers, and medical and mental health professionals. Not soldiers," tweeted Bilal Askaryar, interim campaign manager of the #WelcomeWithDignity Campaign.

This is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Biden administration sending 1,500 troops to US Mexico border - From CBS News