Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Defense Secretary James Mattis ordered up to 1,000 military troops to the Southwest border. 

ARLINGTON, Va. — Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters Friday that along with up to 1,000 troops, the military could deploy helicopters, and logistical and engineering support to the U.S.-Mexico border.

He confirmed that Defense Secretary James Mattis issued an order to deploy troops in response to a group of migrants heading north through Mexico in order to claim asylum in the United States.

“We’ve been tasked to help the Department of Homeland Security with the challenge the president has identified and we’re getting after it right now,” Dunford said in remarks at the Military Reporters and Editors Conference in Arlington, Va.

Dunford said the military’s response to the group of migrants will take shape in the coming hours. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs said the response might include the deployment of helicopters as well as logistical and engineering support.

UPI

26/10/2018