Active duty troops begin arriving at the US-Mexico border in Texas and California

Military troops began arriving in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California, on Thursday night after President Donald Trump decision to declare a national emergency on the southern border.

The additional support of 1,500 troops on active duty It is made up of 1,000 US Army troops and 500 Marines from Camp Pendleton, California, who will receive their assignments along the border upon arrival.

“This represents a 60% increase in active duty ground forces since President Trump was sworn in on Monday,” Acting Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses said in a statement late Wednesday.

PENTAGON SENDS ADDITIONAL 1,500 TROOPS TO SOUTHERN BORDER: US OFFICIAL

A group of more than 100 immigrants attempting to enter the U.S. illegally are seen running into a border wall on March 21, 2024. In the process, the immigrants knocked down members of the Texas National Guard before they the border wall would stop them. (James Breeden for New York Post/Mega)

There are already 2,500 US service members stationed in the southern border.

The troops were ordered there in May 2023 during the Biden administration under Title 10 authorities approved by former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and are scheduled to be there through the end of fiscal year 2025, according to a U.S. Northern Command spokesperson. USA

The National Guard is also increasing its support and coordinating emerging requirements with USNORTHCOM and US Transportation Command for additional personnel, military airlift, barrier construction and other capabilities to meet Presidential and Secretary of Defense directives. , according to a statement from the National Guard Public Information Office. Business.

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Active-duty military personnel began arriving at the southern border Thursday night after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to address the immigration crisis. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

“He National guard We currently have more than 1,600 Guardsmen supporting the federal border security mission,” said Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau. “Together with our Joint Service partners, we are developing additional support options to comply with USNORTHCOM, USTRANSCOM and the Department. of Homeland Security forces requirements as this critical mission evolves.”

Additionally, more than 4,100 members of the Texas National Guard remain on duty at the border supporting the ongoing efforts of Operation Lone Star.

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Some of the troops deployed to the southern border were on guard or actively working in support of the California wildfires, although they were released from that mission and are now being reassigned, the senior official added.

Fox News Digital’s Liz Friden, Stephen Sorace, Jennifer Griffin and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.