Pentagon: the number of soldiers at the border has "practically reached" 5,800

The number of US servicemen on active duty at the southern border has "almost reached" about 5,800 men, a top Pentagon official said Thursday.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpTalk the lawyer that Democrats call the end of countdown Avenatti denies allegations of domestic violence: "I've never hit a woman" Trump appoints a handbag designer ambassador to Africa South MORE at one point he threatened to send up to 15,000 members of the armed forces to the border before the arrival of a caravan of asylum seekers migrants from 39, Central America.

Although Republican lawmakers have largely supported the sending of troops to the border, Democrats and immigrant rights advocates have accused the president of seeking to stoke anti-immigrant fears ahead of the mid-term elections that will take place. place this month.

"We have almost reached the maximum number of people there," Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters on Thursday.

Shanahan said that a large number of additional troops would probably not be needed, as the current mission was to end on December 15. He added, however, that the end date "could still be changed".

Reuters reported Thursday that the commander in charge of the mission was considering whether to send his forces home or not.

Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan said he would also consider moving some troops to new border positions, indicating that the mission – hastily ordered by Trump last month before the mid-term elections of 6 November – is almost over.

The troops were sent to Arizona, California and Texas to help strengthen the southern border before the expected arrival of a caravan of several thousand Central American migrants.

The deployment, in support of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), was originally expected to reach more than 7,000 troops and continue until December 15.

Buchanan, commander of the North American Army, said that he did not think that an extension of the mission would be likely at this stage.

"It's a tough date. And there is nothing to suggest that CBP will need our work any longer than that, "Buchanan told Reuters Wednesday at Donna Base Camp in Texas.

"If we get an extension, we get an extension. But I have no hints about it so far. "

Buchanan also said he believed the troop strength had peaked. He estimated that about 1,500 soldiers were deployed in California, 1,500 in Arizona and 2,800 in Texas.

"We could increase by a hundred here or there, but probably not."

He added that he could move forces east or west along the border if necessary.

In the weeks leading up to the elections earlier this month, Trump spoke in dramatic terms about the migrant caravan, calling it "invasion." But since polls closed last week, Trump has not talked much about the deployment of borders or the caravan.

Secretary of Defense James MattisJames Norman MattisFirst woman passes an assessment of Special Forces and could become the first woman to defend her night defense, in Green Beret – Presented by Raytheon – Mattis defends the deployment of a border post during a visit to troops | A Bolton aide leaves WH after a clash with his first lady | House block resolution of the war in Yemen | Report warns against the erosion of US military superiority Senators back in Washington determined to take action against Saudis MORE, who visited base camp Donna on Wednesday, defended the deployment in front of reporters, saying that he thought "we are improving our readiness for deployments to date".

He also stated that the mission had been examined by lawyers of the Ministry of Justice and that it was "absolutely legal".

Buchanan stated that his mission's guidelines were to support CBP staff and that he "was not asked to do anything abnormal".

Pentagon officials said the troops would not interact directly with migrants approaching the United States. Instead, the soldiers help the border patrol personnel to weave an accordion wire and set up temporary housing for US personnel.

Mattis said Wednesday that in 10 days, military personnel at the border would have completed all the tasks initially requested by CBP. Additional tasks can however be added.

Buchanan said the soldiers would return home after responding to CBP's requests.

"At some point, I will not keep the troops here just to keep them here. When the work is complete, we will begin to reduce some capabilities, "said Buchanan.

"I'm looking for next week to think about rationalization, whether we need to change, or do I have to move (troops elsewhere at the border)," said Buchanan.

Updated: 1:30 pm