Mattis approves U.S. troops for border with Mexico
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis answers a question from the news media as U.S. President Donald Trump spoke during a gathering for a briefing from his senior military leaders in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., October 23, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has authorized the deployment of troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, U.S. officials said on Friday, bolstering President Donald Trump’s battle against a caravan of Central American migrants trekking toward the United States.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Mattis’ authorization did not include a specific number of troops, something that would be determined at a later point.
U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday that the Trump administration was considering deploying between 800 and 1,000 troops. They would not be engaged in any law enforcement activities, something that is prohibited under U.S. law.
Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Bernadette Baum
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