In a statement released on Tuesday, Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen said her department and others are ready to stop the new caravans that have formed in Central America.
“Approximately 2,000 aliens have arrived in northern Mexico as part of a ‘caravan’ seeking to cross the border into Texas,” Nielsen said. “Illegal entry will not be tolerated and we stand ready to prevent it.”
The other departments involved include the departments of State, Defense, and Justice “to ensure all possible resources are available to address this lawless caravan.”
Pentagon spokesman Capt. Bill Speaks said the DOD is repositioning units from Arizona to Texas to support border agents dealing with the first caravan:
In response to migrant caravan activity currently approaching the Texas border, DHS/CBP has requested DoD support to reinforce the Eagle Pass, TX Ports of Entry (POEs). Acting Secretary of Defense Shanahan has authorized the repositioning of approximately 250 active duty military personnel to the vicinity of the Eagle Pass POEs. This personnel includes military police and medical personnel from current border security support missions in Arizona, and engineers who will support hardening of these POEs. This support is being provided under existing authorities and in accordance with previously-approved requests for support.
“DoD continues to work closely with CBP to assess the situation and determine how best to support CBP's mission needs,” he added.
More than 3,000 active-duty troops have been deployed along the southern border as more caravans have formed.
Nielsen added the threat the caravans pose are the “result of Congress’s inexcusable failures to fully fund a needed physical barrier and unwillingness to fix outdated laws that act as an enormous magnet for illegal aliens.”