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Officials told CNN that the latest details were being developed, including where the troops came from and their specific tasks.
Several senior administration officials said that it was expected that the Pentagon would pay the bulk of the mission by calling on active duty troops. It is not yet clear whether the Department of Homeland Security will reimburse the Pentagon.
Officials also point out that the troops are there to support the civil authorities. So we do not expect them to make regular contact with migrants. If the troops carry weapons, it will only be for self-defense.
These officials said the Pentagon was under increasing pressure from the White House to send troops to the southern border, especially after the president repeatedly called for the use of the # 39; army. But it is strongly expected that the deployment complies with the law in force which prohibits the regular use of troops in law enforcement functions.
The troops will not engage in deadly operations to stop the migrants. Instead, they are supposed to provide fences, wall materials and other technical supports at several key points of the border, where it is thought that migrants might attempt to cross.
Troops will also provide tents and medical care to border authorities in these areas. Troops retain the right to self-defense, but border patrolmen will still be the ones who physically stop illegal migrations, officials said.
President Trump alluded to the upcoming efforts with a tweet from Thursday morning, saying "I am bringing the armed forces to this national emergency".
Troops should be in position next week.
This deployment is distinct from the ongoing efforts of the National Guard along the border to provide technical assistance to border authorities. According to the Pentagon, this mission has about 4,000 authorized personnel, but only 2,100 are currently in place.
