During the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, authorities arrested nearly 2.4 million people at the border, most of whom were turned away. In March 2023, the number of people detained without proper immigration documents stood at 191,899.
In addition to the ongoing deployment of approximately 2,500 National Guard troops, the force will be deployed for 90 days.
According to a Pentagon spokesman, the military will fill significant capability gaps and free up border agents to effectively perform their duties.
US military troops have been used to help secure the border during previous presidential administrations, including those of George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Jean-Pierre called such deployments “a common practice”.