|
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31-- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that up to 15,000 military personnel could be sent to the southern border with Mexico to help defend against a caravan of Central American migrants. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the number of troops to be deployed at the border "will go up to anywhere between 10 and 15,000 military personnel." The comments followed a Pentagon announcement earlier this week that about 5,200 troops would be sent to the U.S.-Mexico border to support law enforcement activities and help stop what the president called an "invasion" by Central American migrants. Currently, there are 2,100 members of the National Guard helping at the border. "We're going to be prepared," Trump said. "They're not coming into our country." He also promised to end so-called "catch and release" practices by building "tent cities" to house those who cross the border illegally. The caravan is still nearly 1,600 kilometers from the border. Trump is doubling down his hardline stance on immigration, an issue he's trying to place center and front in the upcoming November midterm elections, which could see Democrats seizing control of at least part of the Republican-held Congress. The president denied that he was "fear-mongering" with repeated warnings against the caravan or using the issue for political purposes, while admitting the subject is "very important" as he slammed Democrats for their stance on immigration. | 
