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This support includes a mobile surveillance capability until the end of September 2019, as well as the installation of 150 miles of accordion wires between entry points. The Ministry of Defense has announced that the total forces on duty supporting CBP at the border would be about 4,350.
These additional units have been deployed for 90 days.
The Pentagon's decision not to reveal the magnitude of this increase during a hearing before the Armed Forces Commission was criticized by its chairman, Adam Smith, of Washington.
"The members of the Committee would have been extremely interested in what the 3,500 soldiers going to the border will do in response to DHS 'latest request," Smith wrote in a letter to the Secretary of State. Acting Defense, Pat Shanahan. 19659002] "This is a violation of the executive's obligation to be transparent with Congress, which oversees, authorizes and funds its operations," added Smith.
Additional forces will allow the Department of Defense to respond to a request for assistance from the Department of Homeland Security approved by Shanahan last month.
President Donald Trump confirmed sending additional troops via a tweet on Thursday.
"More troops be sent to the southern border to stop the attempt of illegal invasion, through large caravans, into our country." We stopped the previous caravans, and we will stop them. also, "wrote Trump.
Defense officials previously told CNN that the new mobile surveillance would include troops with mobile observation posts and vehicles with troops radioing CBP personnel to intercept any alert. Deputy Minister of Defense Policy Officer John Rood told the Armed Forces Committee that CBP had requested that the additional accordion wire "be put in place no later than March 31".
The effort announced on Sunday is distinct from the White House's potential effort to use existing Pentagon funds or personnel for assist in the construction of new sections of a border wall with Mexico.
CNN's Eli Watkins contributed to this report.
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