Trump is sending 500 troops to Mexican border to aid agents struggling with security efforts amid the coronavirus fight

  • The Trump administration is sending more than 500 troops to the southern border to combat the coronavirus threat 
  • The mission is for 'preventing more infections coming into the U.S. interior'
  • Department of Homeland Security made the request for personnel to support Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations on the southern border 
  • The troops will remain in place until the end of September

By REUTERS

Published: | Updated:

The Pentagon will send roughly 500 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to assist that department's efforts to deal with the coronavirus.

Two U.S. officials have said the Pentagon approved a request by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The United States already maintains an average of 5,000 troops at the southwest border to support Border Patrol by performing non-law enforcement duties. The latest deployment will bolster those ranks as border agents grapple with possible exposure to COVID-19, the disease cause by the virus.

The Trump administration is sending more than 500 troops to the southern border to combat the coronavirus threat

The Trump administration is sending more than 500 troops to the southern border to combat the coronavirus threat

U.S. Border Patrol agents conduct a training exercise in the Anapra area, in front of the wall that divides New Mexico, from Mexico, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state

U.S. Border Patrol agents conduct a training exercise in the Anapra area, in front of the wall that divides New Mexico, from Mexico, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state

DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The move came as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump shelved a plan to send troops to the border with Canada, U.S. officials told Reuters.

Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland slammed the proposal last week, calling it 'an entirely unnecessary step' that would damage bilateral relations between the two nations, which have long maintained an undefended border.

The Trump administration has stepped up its response to the coronavirus outbreak this month as infections have spread across the country. For the first time on Tuesday, the United States recorded nearly 700 new deaths in a single day. The country now has a total of more than 4,000 deaths and more than 189,000 cases.

The troops will assist U.S. Border Patrol agents. The mission is to 'prevent more infections coming into the U.S. interior'

The troops will assist U.S. Border Patrol agents. The mission is to 'prevent more infections coming into the U.S. interior'

The Department of Homeland Security made the request for personnel to support Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations on the southern border

The Department of Homeland Security made the request for personnel to support Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations on the southern border

The United States closed its northern and southern borders to tourist and recreational travel to limit the spread of the new coronavirus on March 20. At the same time, the Trump administration began to use a health-focused statute to swiftly return migrants caught trying to cross U.S. borders illegally.

The rapid removals also apply to unaccompanied minors from Central America with exceptions on a case-by-case, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said on Monday. The minors previously had been transferred into the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with a federal law to protect victims of human trafficking.

Guatemalan authorities said on Monday that a group of migrants deported from the United States were being held in a temporary shelter at the country's main airport after three children aboard the flight developed fevers, a key COVID-19 symptom.

The border between the US and Mexico is quiet after the countries announced a temporary ban on non-essential and leisure travel between them

The border between the US and Mexico is quiet after the countries announced a temporary ban on non-essential and leisure travel between them

An aerial view of the empty beach as it remains closed to the public, near the Mexico-US border fence in Playas de Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico. The Baja California state government has intensified restrictions on people's mobility and shutdown beaches and commercial centers, among other non essential businesses

An aerial view of the empty beach as it remains closed to the public, near the Mexico-US border fence in Playas de Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico. The Baja California state government has intensified restrictions on people's mobility and shutdown beaches and commercial centers, among other non essential businesses

Covid-19

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