The announcement comes as the expiration of a controversial health measure allowing the immediate deportation of migrants crossing the land borders of the United States is approaching. Washington will send 1,500 additional soldiers to their border with Mexico, the Pentagon spokesman announced on Tuesday.
“At the request of the Department of Homeland Security,” the U.S. Secretary of Defense “approved a temporary increase of 1,500 additional military personnel to supplement Border Patrol efforts on the southwest border,” it said. Pat Ryder. For ninety days, they will support the police, particularly in terms of surveillance. “Military personnel will not be directly involved in policing activities,” added Pat Ryder.
The end of “Title 42”
A measure linked to the Covid-19 pandemic and put in place in 2020 under the Trump administration, which allows migrants without a visa to be immediately returned, even potential asylum seekers, expires on May 11. The United States fears a spike in arrivals at its border with the lifting of this measure, known as “Title 42”.
Last week they announced new measures to facilitate the journey of asylum seekers or refugees, by creating “management centers” in Colombia and Guatemala.