According to a report by Fox News, 5,000 troops are deploying to the U.S.-Mexico border in response to the migrant caravan.
They will serve in a support capacity, not intended for combat.
Fox News reports,
Some of the troops will be deploying as early as Tuesday. The reinforcements headed to the U.S.-Mexico border are support troops – not combat troops – and will include engineers, as well as aviation and medical personnel.
The troop deployment, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, had been expected after Defense Secretary Jim Mattis approved the request last week. But the number of troops is far higher than initial estimates.
Last week it was reported that 800 additional troops would be deployed to the southern border at Mattis’s request but at what capacity was not clear.
President Trump tweeted on Monday warning the migrant caravan, “our Military is waiting for you!”
The caravan is roughly 1,000 miles away.
It is reported that a second caravan is making its way through Mexico after forcing itself across the Guatemala-Mexico border.