Troop plan for border

The Trump Administration is planning to dispatch at least 800 active duty troops to the southern border.

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis is expected to sign an order sending the troops to the border, bolstering National Guard forces already there, an official said yesterday. The action comes as President Donald Trump has spent recent days calling attention to the caravan of Central Americans.

Trump, who made fear about immigrants a major theme of his 2016 election campaign, has been eager to make it a top issue heading into the November 7 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.

The additional troops would provide logistical and other support to the Border Patrol, said the US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

It's not unusual for the National Guard to help with border security. Active duty troops, however, are rarely deployed within the US except for domestic emergencies such as hurricanes or floods.

Troops being sent at Trump's direction would not be on armed security missions. They would assist the Border Patrol by providing things such as vehicles, tents and equipment. There already are about 2000 National Guard members there under a previous arrangement. AP