The United States has announced the sending of 320 additional troops to the Mexican border

The US Department of Defense announced Monday the deployment of 320 additional troops at the Mexican border help immigration officers.

The troops, whose deployment is planned until the end of September, will join the next 2,900 soldiers and 2,000 National Guard agents currently living at the border.

The Pentagon spokesman, Colonel Jamie Davis, says the troops They will help transport migrants, monitor the health of immigrants in detention and provide heating and food.

Troops are not allowed to perform law enforcement duties.

"In any situation requiring the staff of the Ministry of Defense to be close to the migrants, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) security forces will be present to carry out all police and law enforcement duties ", said Davis.

In recent months, thousands of migrants arrived in Mexico, especially the countries of Central America fleeing poverty and violence and to whom the President of the United States Donald Trump has described it as a threat to national security.

The president, who placed immigration at the center of his message at his most conservative base, said on Twitter that "A big caravan of 20,000 people" crosses Mexico to reach the United States.

(With information from AFP)