Trump is expected to extend the deployment of US troops on the Mexican border until January: NPR

President Trump is expected to extend the deployment of thousands of US troops to the US-Mexico border until January rather than withdraw his staff in mid-December, Pentagon officials told NPR. The move would further extend the rare deployment of troops on active service to the Mexican border, rather than National Guard personnel.

Deployment orders for active troops were due to end on December 15th. But defense officials told NPR that most of the troops on active duty should now be extended until January, and that part of the force could also be replaced. for new troops.

The news that the deployment is likely to be extended during the holidays comes days after US agents fired tear gas canisters at migrants trying to cross the United States from Tijuana, Mexico, on Sunday. This event took place at the land entry point of San Ysidro between Tijuana and San Diego – "the busiest land crossing point in the Western Hemisphere", as reported by NPR.

Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the troops were supposed to support customs and border protection officers and provide logistical assistance – installing the wire barbed to moving personnel, if applicable. The troops include military engineers and military police, who are expected to leave any policing task to CBP officials.

The military deployment came after the Department of Homeland Security asked the Pentagon to help its border patrol units along the southern border in October, anticipating the arrival of a caravan of thousands of migrants from Central America. The move, which came just before the mid-term elections in November, has been described as an overreaction – and even a stunt – by Trump's political opponents.

In addition to the 5,900 active staff, the Trump administration also sent 2,100 National Guard soldiers to the border.

When Mattis visited deployed troops the week before Thanksgiving, he said, "I think it's very clear that support [for] border police – or a border patrol is needed at this time. "But he did not explain in detail why the use of active duty personnel was required.

The president described the arrival of the invasion caravan; Earlier this month, Mattis and others did not use such terms to describe the situation.

In April, Trump signed a proclamation to send National Guard troops along the southern border as part of his campaign to reduce illegal immigration, a key element of his political agenda.