Troops began arriving in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California on Thursday night President Donald Trump’s The decision was made to declare a national emergency on the southern border.

additional support 1,500 active military personnel Comprising 1,000 U.S. Army personnel and 500 Marines from Camp Pendleton, California, they will conduct missions along the border upon arrival.

“Since President Trump was sworn in on Monday, the number of active-duty ground troops has increased by 60 percent,” Acting Defense Secretary Robert Sales said in a statement Wednesday night.

U.S. official: Pentagon sends 1,500 additional troops to southern border

On March 21, 2024, more than 100 immigrants trying to enter the United States illegally rushed towards the border wall. In the process, migrants knocked down Texas National Guard soldiers before being stopped by the border wall. (James Breeden for New York Post/Mega)

There are currently 2,500 US military personnel stationed at the base Southern border.

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

The Guard is also increasing support and coordinating emergency needs with U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Transportation Command to increase personnel, military airlift, barrier construction and other capabilities, according to a statement from the National Guard Public Affairs Bureau. To meet the directives of the President and Secretary of Defense. affairs.

Border czar Tom Homan sends message to far-left officials opposing mass deportations: ‘Keep going’

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

“this national guard There are currently more than 1,600 National Guard Soldiers supporting the federal border security mission,” said Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, director of the National Guard. “We are working with our joint service partners to Develop additional support options to meet U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Transportation Command and Department of Defense requirements. As this critical mission evolves, so do the needs of Homeland Security Forces. ”

In addition, more than 4,100 Texas National Guard personnel remain on duty at the border in support of the ongoing Operation Lone Star.

Click here to get the Fox News app

The senior official added that some troops deployed to the southern border are on standby or actively working to support California wildfires, although they have been released from that mission and are now being reassigned.

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