US will now send more than 5,000 troops to border as caravan nears
President Donald Trump escalates his response to the approach of thousands of asylum seekers in the run-up to midterm elections
Washington — President Donald Trump’s administration plans to send about 5,200 troops to the southern border with Mexico by the end of this week, escalating his response to a caravan of asylum seekers heading towards the US just days before the midterm elections. The move comes as the administration considers additional executive action designed to block refugees from entering the country. The administration previously planned to deploy about 800 additional troops to the US-Mexico border. Gen Terrence O’Shaughnessy, head of US Northern Command, announced the deployment in a news conference on Monday. In addition to supporting the border patrol with logistical and medical help, he said the military will also provide resources ranging from Blackhawk helicopters and drones to 35km of barbed wire. Trump has made illegal immigration a front-burner issue in the weeks before the midterm congressional elections on November 6, believing the issue motivates his supporters to turn out to vote ...
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