5,200 American troops sent to fight off migrant caravan

MORE than 5,200 US troops are being sent to the Mexican border to stop a migrant caravan entering the country.

The move is seen as President Donald Trump trying to shore up support before the midterm elections by “getting tough” on immigration.

The deployment is similar to the number of US troops currently serving in Iraq. General Terrence O’shaughnessy, head of U.S. Northern Command, said 800 soldiers were already on their way to the Texas border and more were headed to the borders in California and Arizona.

He added: “That is just the start of this operation. We will continue to adjust the number and inform you of those.” O’shaughnessy said some soldiers would be armed, although it was unclear who, beyond US military police, might need those weapons.

US officials stressed the troops would not be involved in policing the border and would instead carry out support roles like building tents and barricades, and transporting customs personnel. But Trump has seized on the caravan of Central American migrants at campaign rallies in the run-up to next week’s vote, firing up support for his Republican Party, and said troops will be “ready” for them.

If the Republicans lose control of the House of Representatives or the Senate, it could become much harder for him to pursue his policy agenda in his remaining two years in office.

Shaw Drake, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union Border Rights Center in El Paso, said: “President Trump has chosen just before midterm elections to force the military into furthering his anti-immigrant agenda of fear and division.”