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Defense Secretary James Mattis
James Norman MattisOvernight Defense: CIA chief briefs Trump on Khashoggi | Saudi official now says killing was premeditated | Mattis reportedly plans to deploy 800 troops to border | New inspection grounds some F-35s Maduro calls Pence has 'crazy extremist' over migrant caravan allegations The Hill's 12:30 Report – Suspicious packages sent to Biden, DeNiro | Trump says media partly to blame for 'anger' | Mattis sending troops to border MORE has approved a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) request to send additional troops to the U.S.-Mexico border as President Trump
Donald John TrumpTrump administration weighing order to bar Central American migrants from claiming asylum: report Biden to campaign for two Democrats in Iowa Ex-DHS staffer says he quit over Trump administration's handling of family separation policy MORE Central American migrants from entering the U.S.
The Pentagon said in a statement on Friday that Mattis providing providing "mission-enhancing capabilities to the Department of Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection along the southwest border."
"This assistance is in addition to the previously authorized support for CBP's Operation Guardian Support Mission," the Pentagon statement said.
Officials will be responsible for support engineering, planning and communications.
"U.S. Northern Command will be in the lead for the duration of the operation and is in support of Custom and Border Protection," the Pentagon added.
Officials told The Wall Street Journal that Mattis' directive starts Tuesday and expires Dec. 15.
While the order does not specify how to do so, it allows the Pentagon to gauge the amount of money it requires. The troops would be likely to come from active duty units and the Pentagon would be in the National Guard, officials said.
Reports have indicated that 800 troops would be felt, but the official said the newspaper was "premature." About 2,000 people have been killed.
The report comes as Trump puts in front of the midterm elections, denouncing the migrant "caravan" that is currently making its way up Central America and saying Democrats support "open borders" and may even be behind the caravan itself.
"Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, to our Country illegally, think of blame the Democrats for not giving us the pathways to change our pathetic Immigration Laws! Remember the Midterms! So unfair to those who come in legally, "the president tweeted Monday.
Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, to our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving up our Pathetic Immigration Laws! Remember the Midterms! So unfair to those who come in legally.
– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018
– Ellen Mitchell contributed
Updated: 3:40 p.m.
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