The Department of Homeland Security is asking the Pentagon for additional manpower and equipment to help secure the southern border, U.S. defense and Homeland Security officials tell ABC News.
The Department of Homeland Security is asking the Pentagon for additional manpower and equipment to help secure the southern border, U.S. defense and Homeland Security officials tell ABC News.
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The defense official said the Department of Homeland Security Wednesday will request about 700 additional National Guardsmen plus helicopters and other equipment. Defense Secretary James Mattis is expected to review the request and respond to DHS on Thursday.
The goal is to have it finalized in the coming days, according to a DHS official.
This request is for assistance with Customs and Border Protection missions, like Air and Marine units, but not directly with Border Patrol.