ABC57 By Priscilla Alvarez, CNN 3/6/2020
Trump administration to send about 160 troops to southern border
The Trump administration is deploying troops to the southern border as a result of uncertainty over the future of one of its key asylum policies, US Customs and Border Protection announced Friday.
Last week, a federal appeals court blocked the so-called "Remain in Mexico" policy, which requires migrants to wait in Mexico until their court date in the US. Following the ruling, groups amassed at some locations along the border, but while the ruling has been temporarily paused, senior agency officials told reporters Friday that last week's events prompted concerns about personnel safety. Several ports of entry were closed or partially closed last week.
"Based on the pending ... decision, continued concern of large groups attempting to forcibly enter through (ports of entry), and COVID-19 containment and mitigation concerns, CBP has activated the crisis response force," the official said.
As a result, the Defense Department is deploying its Crisis Response Force in support of CBP. Approximately 160 active duty personnel will be shifted from their standby location in Louisiana to the southern border. Around 80 will go to the Paso del Norte port of entry in Texas and another 80 will go to the San Ysidro port of entry in California.
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