In spite of a surge in encounters with illegal migrants entering the United States, the Department of Defense (DOD) has confirmed its plan to withdraw 1,100 active duty troops from the U.S.-Mexico border by August 8.
The decision comes after Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, at the request of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), authorized the deployment of 1,500 troops for a 90-day mission in May, anticipating an increase in migrant crossings due to the end of Title 42.
Initially, encounters with illegal migrants dropped following the deployment. However, apprehensions began to rise again in July, leading to the extension of the mission for up to 400 soldiers until the end of August, according to an anonymous DOD spokesperson who spoke with the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“On July 19th, the secretary authorized up to 400 active duty troops to remain at the [Southwest Border] in support of DHS/[Customs and Border Protection] until August 31. It is my understanding that this authorization came as the result of a request from DHS/CBP for an extension,” the spokesperson stated.
RELATED: Texas Governor Doubles Down, Defends Putting Impassable Border Barriers In Rio Grande
Pentagon officials emphasized that the deployed troops were not involved in law enforcement work but rather performed administrative duties to assist Customs and Border Protection personnel in increasing their field presence.
“The up to 400 troops that are being extended will be doing the same, non-law enforcement, support roles that were authorized under the original 90-day authorization,” the spokesperson sad.
As of the current week, the 1,100 troops have already begun returning to their bases, as confirmed by the same source.
The Biden administration had anticipated a potential increase in migrant crossings after the end of Title 42, a Trump-era measure that allowed the expulsion of millions of illegal migrants under the pretext of COVID-19 protections. The measure proved effective as apprehensions declined from 170,000 in May to under 100,000 in June following the expiration of Title 42.
However, illegal migrant encounters rose to 130,000 in July, as the U.S. implemented expanded entry programs such as CBP One. The administration defended the increase, stating that encounters remained lower than those seen under Title 42, as reported by The Washington Post.
It’s important to note that the conclusion of the active-duty mission will not affect the 2,300 National Guard troops already deployed to the border under federal orders, according to National Guard chief Gen. Dan Hokanson, as cited by The Associated Press.
In response to capability gaps, several red states are also sending National Guard troops to support detection and monitoring efforts from the ground, data entry, and warehouse support.
The DCNF reached out to the DHS for comment, but there was no immediate response.
The situation remains a mess and it would seem the Biden administration is continuing to do very little to abate it.
