United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US.

The US President personally took to Twitter saying, "Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can't. If we had a Wall, they wouldn't even try! The two children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn't given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard &amp; getting so little credit!".

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Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can’t. If we had a Wall, they wouldn’t even try! The two.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1079082188665171971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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...children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn’t given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard &amp; getting so little credit!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1079083702943211520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Fox News reported that the US President cited the death of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/second-guatemalan-migrant-child-dies-in-us-custody-186481">two migrant children</a> from Guatemala, namely eight-year-old boy Felipe Gomez Alonzo and a seven-year-old girl <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/father-of-dead-guatemalan-migrant-calls-for-objective-investigation-into-death-184403">Jakelin Caal </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/father-of-dead-guatemalan-migrant-calls-for-objective-investigation-into-death-184403">Maquin</a>, who lost their lives earlier this month while being in the custody of the Border Police.

Both the children fell sick due to lack of proper food and medical facilities while crossing the border.

The US President further said on Twitter that the father of the Guatemalan boy had said that it was not the fault of the Border Police.

The US President Donald Trump had pushed for a border wall with Mexico despite a partial <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-refuses-to-sign-us-government-shutdown-legislation-over-mexico-wall-funding-185571">government shutdown in the country</a> which may continue till 2019.

The shutdown was triggered by a lack of consensus between lawmakers and the US President on the funding for the wall which was one of Trump's electoral promises.

Trump said, "For those that naively ask why didn't the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us "NONE" for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! @FoxNews".&nbsp;

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For those that naively ask why didn’t the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us “NONE” for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FoxNews</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1079096156708319232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US.

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday once again blamed the Democrats, who obstructed his plans of building a wall in the southern border with Mexico to stop illegal migration, for the death of migrant children crossing into the US. The US President personally took to Twitter saying, "Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can't. If we had a Wall, they wouldn't even try! The two children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn't given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard & getting so little credit!". Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can’t. If we had a Wall, they wouldn’t even try! The two..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2018 × ...children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn’t given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard & getting so little credit! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2018 × Fox News reported that the US President cited the death of two migrant children from Guatemala, namely eight-year-old boy Felipe Gomez Alonzo and a seven-year-old girl Jakelin Caal Maquin, who lost their lives earlier this month while being in the custody of the Border Police. Both the children fell sick due to lack of proper food and medical facilities while crossing the border. The US President further said on Twitter that the father of the Guatemalan boy had said that it was not the fault of the Border Police. The US President Donald Trump had pushed for a border wall with Mexico despite a partial government shutdown in the country which may continue till 2019. The shutdown was triggered by a lack of consensus between lawmakers and the US President on the funding for the wall which was one of Trump's electoral promises. Trump said, "For those that naively ask why didn't the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us "NONE" for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! @FoxNews". For those that naively ask why didn’t the Republicans get approval to build the Wall over the last year, it is because IN THE SENATE WE NEED 10 DEMOCRAT VOTES, and they will gives us “NONE” for Border Security! Now we have to do it the hard way, with a Shutdown. Too bad! @FoxNews — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2018 ×

Trump blames Democrats for deaths of children at the border

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States could send as many as 15,000 troops to the border with Mexico, as he hardens his stance against a caravan of migrants fleeing violence and poverty in Central America.

The numbers cited by Trump are significantly higher than defence officials have disclosed. The Pentagon said on Monday it was deploying more than 5,200 troops to the border but that the number would rise. On Wednesday, it said more than 7,000 troops would support the Department of Homeland Security along the border.

Several groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have accused Trump of politicizing the military ahead of next week's congressional elections with his plans to use active military personnel to buttress border patrol efforts.

"As far as the caravan is concerned, our military is out ... We'll go up to anywhere between 10 and 15,000 military personnel, on top of Border Patrol, ICE and everybody else at the border," Trump told reporters at the White House.

Trump did not say how many of those 15,000 would be National Guard. There are already 2,100 US National Guard forces at the border, sent after a previous Trump request in April, and they are authorized to go up to 4,000.

If 15,000 troops were drawn into the effort, it would mean there would be more US troops on the border with Mexico than there are in Afghanistan, which has become America's longest conflict.

Trump has sought to use immigration as an issue to motivate Republican voters ahead of the November 6 elections, where Republicans will seek to maintain control of both congressional chambers.

As a presidential candidate before the US election in 2016, Trump promised to harden immigration laws and build a wall along the southern border with Mexico, but implementation of his signature campaign promise has been slow.

A caravan of Central American migrants estimated to number at least 3,500 people left Honduras in mid-October and is now in southern Mexico on its way to the US border.

"We don't do stunts"

Before Trump's comments, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday rejected criticism that deploying thousands of troops to the border with Mexico was a political stunt.

"The support that we provide to the secretary for homeland security is practical support based on the request from the commissioner of customs and border police, so we don't do stunts in this department," Mattis said after a meeting with his South Korean counterpart at the Pentagon.

Republican lawmakers and other Trump supporters have applauded the deployment. But critics argue Trump has manufactured a crisis to drive Republican voters to the polls.

"The move to send 5,200 active duty troops to the southern border is a craven political stunt that sets a bad precedent and is arguably an abuse of power," said Kelly Magsamen, a former senior Pentagon official who is currently with the Center for American Progress left-leaning think tank.

Trump's decision to call in the military appears to be a departure from past practice. In recent years, such operations have been carried out by National Guard forces, largely part-time military members often called upon to respond to domestic emergencies.

A U.S. official told Reuters that as of Wednesday the Pentagon had identified more than 7,000 active-duty troops, which included about 2,000 on standby, that could be deployed to the border with Mexico if needed.

Many basic questions remained unanswered days after the Pentagon announcement, including the scope of the mission as well as the Pentagon's assessment of any threat posed by arriving migrants.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States could send as many as 15,000 troops to the border with Mexico, as he hardens his stance against a caravan of migrants fleeing violence and poverty in Central America.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States could send as many as 15,000 troops to the border with Mexico, as he hardens his stance against a caravan of migrants fleeing violence and poverty in Central America. The numbers cited by Trump are significantly higher than defence officials have disclosed. The Pentagon said on Monday it was deploying more than 5,200 troops to the border but that the number would rise. On Wednesday, it said more than 7,000 troops would support the Department of Homeland Security along the border. Several groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have accused Trump of politicizing the military ahead of next week's congressional elections with his plans to use active military personnel to buttress border patrol efforts. "As far as the caravan is concerned, our military is out ... We'll go up to anywhere between 10 and 15,000 military personnel, on top of Border Patrol, ICE and everybody else at the border," Trump told reporters at the White House. Trump did not say how many of those 15,000 would be National Guard. There are already 2,100 US National Guard forces at the border, sent after a previous Trump request in April, and they are authorized to go up to 4,000. If 15,000 troops were drawn into the effort, it would mean there would be more US troops on the border with Mexico than there are in Afghanistan, which has become America's longest conflict. Trump has sought to use immigration as an issue to motivate Republican voters ahead of the November 6 elections, where Republicans will seek to maintain control of both congressional chambers. As a presidential candidate before the US election in 2016, Trump promised to harden immigration laws and build a wall along the southern border with Mexico, but implementation of his signature campaign promise has been slow. A caravan of Central American migrants estimated to number at least 3,500 people left Honduras in mid-October and is now in southern Mexico on its way to the US border. "We don't do stunts" Before Trump's comments, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday rejected criticism that deploying thousands of troops to the border with Mexico was a political stunt. "The support that we provide to the secretary for homeland security is practical support based on the request from the commissioner of customs and border police, so we don't do stunts in this department," Mattis said after a meeting with his South Korean counterpart at the Pentagon. Republican lawmakers and other Trump supporters have applauded the deployment. But critics argue Trump has manufactured a crisis to drive Republican voters to the polls. "The move to send 5,200 active duty troops to the southern border is a craven political stunt that sets a bad precedent and is arguably an abuse of power," said Kelly Magsamen, a former senior Pentagon official who is currently with the Center for American Progress left-leaning think tank. Trump's decision to call in the military appears to be a departure from past practice. In recent years, such operations have been carried out by National Guard forces, largely part-time military members often called upon to respond to domestic emergencies. A U.S. official told Reuters that as of Wednesday the Pentagon had identified more than 7,000 active-duty troops, which included about 2,000 on standby, that could be deployed to the border with Mexico if needed. Many basic questions remained unanswered days after the Pentagon announcement, including the scope of the mission as well as the Pentagon's assessment of any threat posed by arriving migrants.

Trump hardens stance on Mexico border, says 15,000 troops could be sent

The United States said on Monday it will send over 5,200 troops to help secure the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/many-gang-members-in-caravan-headed-to-sourthern-border-it-is-an-invasion-and-our-military-is-waiting-trump-174273">border with Mexico</a>, a far larger-than-expected deployment as President Donald Trump hardens his stance on immigration ahead of November 6 mid-term elections.

The deployment will create an active-duty force comparable in size to the US military contingent in Iraq, as Trump's administration draws attention to a caravan of migrants that is trekking through Mexico toward the United States.

General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, the head of US Northern Command, said 800 US troops were already en route to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-honors-migrants-at-day-of-the-dead-as-caravan-treks-north-173978">Texas border</a> and more were headed to the borders in California and Arizona.

"The president has made it clear that border security is national security," O'Shaughnessy said, as he detailed a much larger deployment than the 800 to 1,000 troops predicted by US officials last week.

O'Shaughnessy said some soldiers would be armed although it was unclear who, beyond US military police, might need those weapons. US officials have stressed that the troops would not police the border and instead carry out support roles like building tents and barricades, and flying US customs personnel to locations along the border.

Trump railed against illegal immigration to win the 2016 US presidential election and has seized on the caravan of Central American migrants at campaign rallies in the run-up to next week's vote, firing up support for his Republican Party.

Trump said the United States would build "tent cities" to house migrants seeking asylum, rather than releasing them while they await court decisions.

"We’re going to put tents up all over the place. We’re not going to build structures and spend all of this, you know, hundreds of millions of dollars - we’re going to have tents," he told Fox News in an interview.

Trump said detaining asylum seekers while their cases are being decided would discourage others from following suit.

If the Republicans lose control of the House of Representatives or the Senate, it could become much harder for Trump to pursue his policy agenda in his remaining two years in office.

According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in late September and early October, 75 per cent of Republican voters said illegal immigration is a very big problem, compared with 19 per cent of Democratic voters.

Although Trump's supporters in Congress praised the deployment of troops, the American Civil Liberties Union derided it as a political stunt.

"President Trump has chosen just before midterm elections to force the military into furthering his anti-immigrant agenda of fear and division," said Shaw Drake, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union Border Rights Center in El Paso, Texas.

Trump said on Twitter on Monday that the military would be waiting for the procession -- suggesting a far more direct role in confronting the migrants than the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-could-send-thousands-more-troops-to-us-mexico-border-official-174261"> Pentagon</a> described.

"Many Gang Members and some very bad people are mixed into the Caravan heading to our Southern Border," Trump tweeted.

"Please go back, you will not be admitted into the United States unless you go through the legal process. This is an invasion of our Country and our Military is waiting for you!" he added.

Trump administration officials have been discussing other options to address the caravan and a surge in border crossings, including having Trump use his authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to declare certain migrants ineligible for asylum for national security reasons.

Officials said no decisions had been made.

Kevin McAleenan, the US&nbsp;commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, said a group of approximately 3,500 immigrants were traveling through southern Mexico with the intent of reaching the US border. A second caravan of about 3,000 people were at the Guatemala-Mexico border, McAleenan said.

At the same time, over the last three weeks, border agents have encountered nearly 1,900 people per day either crossing the border illegally or presenting themselves at ports of entry, with over half of them being children alone or parents and children traveling together, McAleenan said.

"We are already facing a border security and humanitarian crisis at our southwest border," he said.

Some migrants have abandoned the journey, deterred by the hardships or the possibility instead of making a new life in Mexico. Others joined it in southern Mexico.

Trump's decision to call in the military appears to be a departure from past practice, at least in recent years, in which such operations were carried out by National Guard forces -- largely part-time military members who are often called upon to serve in response to domestic emergencies.

There are already 2,100 US National Guard forces at the border, sent after a previous Trump request in April. The latest deployment would be in addition to those forces.

The decision to send active duty forces this time gives the Pentagon the ability to more rapidly mobilize greater capability than would be immediately available with the Guard, officials told Reuters.

But it also injects the military, which prides itself in being non-partisan, into a highly charged political issue just days ahead of an election.

The United States said on Monday it will send over 5,200 troops to help secure the border with Mexico, a far larger-than-expected deployment as President Donald Trump hardens his stance on immigration ahead of November 6 mid-term elections.

The United States said on Monday it will send over 5,200 troops to help secure the border with Mexico, a far larger-than-expected deployment as President Donald Trump hardens his stance on immigration ahead of November 6 mid-term elections. The deployment will create an active-duty force comparable in size to the US military contingent in Iraq, as Trump's administration draws attention to a caravan of migrants that is trekking through Mexico toward the United States. General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, the head of US Northern Command, said 800 US troops were already en route to the Texas border and more were headed to the borders in California and Arizona. "The president has made it clear that border security is national security," O'Shaughnessy said, as he detailed a much larger deployment than the 800 to 1,000 troops predicted by US officials last week. O'Shaughnessy said some soldiers would be armed although it was unclear who, beyond US military police, might need those weapons. US officials have stressed that the troops would not police the border and instead carry out support roles like building tents and barricades, and flying US customs personnel to locations along the border. Trump railed against illegal immigration to win the 2016 US presidential election and has seized on the caravan of Central American migrants at campaign rallies in the run-up to next week's vote, firing up support for his Republican Party. Trump said the United States would build "tent cities" to house migrants seeking asylum, rather than releasing them while they await court decisions. "We’re going to put tents up all over the place. We’re not going to build structures and spend all of this, you know, hundreds of millions of dollars - we’re going to have tents," he told Fox News in an interview. Trump said detaining asylum seekers while their cases are being decided would discourage others from following suit. If the Republicans lose control of the House of Representatives or the Senate, it could become much harder for Trump to pursue his policy agenda in his remaining two years in office. According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in late September and early October, 75 per cent of Republican voters said illegal immigration is a very big problem, compared with 19 per cent of Democratic voters. Although Trump's supporters in Congress praised the deployment of troops, the American Civil Liberties Union derided it as a political stunt. "President Trump has chosen just before midterm elections to force the military into furthering his anti-immigrant agenda of fear and division," said Shaw Drake, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union Border Rights Center in El Paso, Texas. Trump said on Twitter on Monday that the military would be waiting for the procession -- suggesting a far more direct role in confronting the migrants than the Pentagon described. "Many Gang Members and some very bad people are mixed into the Caravan heading to our Southern Border," Trump tweeted. "Please go back, you will not be admitted into the United States unless you go through the legal process. This is an invasion of our Country and our Military is waiting for you!" he added. Trump administration officials have been discussing other options to address the caravan and a surge in border crossings, including having Trump use his authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to declare certain migrants ineligible for asylum for national security reasons. Officials said no decisions had been made. Kevin McAleenan, the US commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, said a group of approximately 3,500 immigrants were traveling through southern Mexico with the intent of reaching the US border. A second caravan of about 3,000 people were at the Guatemala-Mexico border, McAleenan said. At the same time, over the last three weeks, border agents have encountered nearly 1,900 people per day either crossing the border illegally or presenting themselves at ports of entry, with over half of them being children alone or parents and children traveling together, McAleenan said. "We are already facing a border security and humanitarian crisis at our southwest border," he said. Some migrants have abandoned the journey, deterred by the hardships or the possibility instead of making a new life in Mexico. Others joined it in southern Mexico. Trump's decision to call in the military appears to be a departure from past practice, at least in recent years, in which such operations were carried out by National Guard forces -- largely part-time military members who are often called upon to serve in response to domestic emergencies. There are already 2,100 US National Guard forces at the border, sent after a previous Trump request in April. The latest deployment would be in addition to those forces. The decision to send active duty forces this time gives the Pentagon the ability to more rapidly mobilize greater capability than would be immediately available with the Guard, officials told Reuters. But it also injects the military, which prides itself in being non-partisan, into a highly charged political issue just days ahead of an election.

President Trump has made it clear border security is national security: US northern command chief

Migrants form Human Chains to cross river at Guatemala and Mexico border

Violent clashes at Guatemala-Mexico Border

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Friday approved a request to send troops and military assistance to the US-Mexico border -- part of President Donald Trump's effort <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/honduran-migrant-caravan-crosses-into-mexico-marches-on-towards-us-172677">to slow illegal crossings</a> in the run-up to key elections.

A Pentagon statement said the support would come in the form of logistical and engineering assistance, including the construction of "temporary barriers, barricades and fencing."

The Pentagon did not provide details on how many troops would be sent, but US officials on Thursday told AFP that about 800 service members would be deployed to the frontier.&nbsp;

"After receiving a request for assistance from the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Defense has approved providing mission-enhancing capabilities to Department of Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection along the Southwest Border," the Pentagon statement read.

The troops would augment the 2,100 or so National Guardsmen who were deployed in April to support border operations, and could come from multiple military bases around the US.

Other help would include aviation support to ferry border agents around and medical to teams to "triage, treat and prepare for commercial transport of patients," the statement read.

The military beef-up of the border comes as thousands of Central American migrants are crossing Mexico toward the United States in a slow-moving caravan.

The issue has become a rallying cry for Trump, who has taken a hard line on illegal immigration and has repeatedly kept the story in the headlines in the run up to America's midterm congressional elections that could see the Democrats regain some degree of power.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Friday approved a request to send troops and military assistance to the US-Mexico border -- part of President Donald Trump's effort to slow illegal crossings in the run-up to key elections.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Friday approved a request to send troops and military assistance to the US-Mexico border -- part of President Donald Trump's effort to slow illegal crossings in the run-up to key elections. A Pentagon statement said the support would come in the form of logistical and engineering assistance, including the construction of "temporary barriers, barricades and fencing." The Pentagon did not provide details on how many troops would be sent, but US officials on Thursday told AFP that about 800 service members would be deployed to the frontier. "After receiving a request for assistance from the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Defense has approved providing mission-enhancing capabilities to Department of Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection along the Southwest Border," the Pentagon statement read. The troops would augment the 2,100 or so National Guardsmen who were deployed in April to support border operations, and could come from multiple military bases around the US. Other help would include aviation support to ferry border agents around and medical to teams to "triage, treat and prepare for commercial transport of patients," the statement read. The military beef-up of the border comes as thousands of Central American migrants are crossing Mexico toward the United States in a slow-moving caravan. The issue has become a rallying cry for Trump, who has taken a hard line on illegal immigration and has repeatedly kept the story in the headlines in the run up to America's midterm congressional elections that could see the Democrats regain some degree of power.

US Defence Secretary Mattis approves request to send army to Mexico border

The US states of Texas and Arizona on Friday announced plans to send National Guard troops to the southern border with Mexico after President Donald Trump ordered a thousands-strong deployment to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration.

The Texas National Guard said it would send 250 troops to the border within 72 hours and had already deployed two Lakota helicopters, while Arizona's governor said he would send 150 personnel next week.

"The Texas national guard is preparing to immediately deploy with supporting aircraft, vehicles and equipment to the Texas-Mexico border," Brigadier General Tracy Norris, the commanding general of the Texas National Guard, told reporters at a briefing.

"This deployment has begun with the movement of equipment and troops today. Within 72 hours the Texas military department will have 250 personnel along with ground surveillance vehicles as well as light and medium aviation platforms," she added.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced his plans in a tweet.

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis signed an order for "up to 4,000 National Guard personnel to support DHS's southern border security mission while under the command and control of their respective governors through September 30, 2018," according to a Department of Defense memo.

The memo set out that troops would not carry out law enforcement activities without the defense secretary's approval and would be armed only in "circumstances that might require self-defense."

Mattis and homeland security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said the decision came after their departments "identified security vulnerabilities that could be addressed by the National Guard."&nbsp

"Together, the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense are committed to using every lever of power to support the men and women of law enforcement defending our nation's sovereignty and protecting the American people," they said in a joint statement.

"We will continue to work with the governors to deploy the necessary resources until our nation's borders are secure."

Trump had said on Thursday that the final deployment would range from 2,000 to 4,000 troops, and he would "probably" keep many personnel on the border until his promised border wall is built -- spelling out a lengthy mission.

The move has heightened tensions with Mexico, whose President Enrique Pena Nieto said Trump's "threatening or disrespectful attitudes" were unjustified.

It has also raised questions about who will fund the mission.

The Pentagon could not say where the money would come from and Trump admitted the White House was still "looking at" costs.

If 4,000 troops were deployed, that would be about double the current US military presence in Syria and about half as many as the number of US troops in Iraq.

The National Guard has previously been deployed to help patrol the southern border, including in 2010 under former president Barack Obama, and from 2006-2008 under George W. Bush. Both deployments were limited to around a year.

The Texas National Guard said it would send 250 troops to the border within 72 hours and had already deployed two Lakota helicopters, while Arizona's governor said he would send 150 personnel next week

The US states of Texas and Arizona on Friday announced plans to send National Guard troops to the southern border with Mexico after President Donald Trump ordered a thousands-strong deployment to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration. The Texas National Guard said it would send 250 troops to the border within 72 hours and had already deployed two Lakota helicopters, while Arizona's governor said he would send 150 personnel next week. "The Texas national guard is preparing to immediately deploy with supporting aircraft, vehicles and equipment to the Texas-Mexico border," Brigadier General Tracy Norris, the commanding general of the Texas National Guard, told reporters at a briefing. "This deployment has begun with the movement of equipment and troops today. Within 72 hours the Texas military department will have 250 personnel along with ground surveillance vehicles as well as light and medium aviation platforms," she added. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced his plans in a tweet. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis signed an order for "up to 4,000 National Guard personnel to support DHS's southern border security mission while under the command and control of their respective governors through September 30, 2018," according to a Department of Defense memo. The memo set out that troops would not carry out law enforcement activities without the defense secretary's approval and would be armed only in "circumstances that might require self-defense." Mattis and homeland security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said the decision came after their departments "identified security vulnerabilities that could be addressed by the National Guard." "Together, the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense are committed to using every lever of power to support the men and women of law enforcement defending our nation's sovereignty and protecting the American people," they said in a joint statement. "We will continue to work with the governors to deploy the necessary resources until our nation's borders are secure." Trump had said on Thursday that the final deployment would range from 2,000 to 4,000 troops, and he would "probably" keep many personnel on the border until his promised border wall is built -- spelling out a lengthy mission. The move has heightened tensions with Mexico, whose President Enrique Pena Nieto said Trump's "threatening or disrespectful attitudes" were unjustified. It has also raised questions about who will fund the mission. The Pentagon could not say where the money would come from and Trump admitted the White House was still "looking at" costs. If 4,000 troops were deployed, that would be about double the current US military presence in Syria and about half as many as the number of US troops in Iraq. The National Guard has previously been deployed to help patrol the southern border, including in 2010 under former president Barack Obama, and from 2006-2008 under George W. Bush. Both deployments were limited to around a year.

Texas, Arizona announce troop deployments to Mexico border

With just a plastic bag of belongings in his hand, a Mexican man who was deported from the United States Tuesday promptly killed himself, jumping off a bridge in view of the US border.

Sinaloa state native Guadalupe Olivas Valencia, 44, threw himself to his death, authorities said. He had jumped 30 metres (100 feet).

Witnesses said the man was in great distress after being sent back to Mexico for a third time.&nbsp;

The tragedy comes as US President Donald Trump has pledged to deport millions of undocumented migrants living in the United States.

Trump has called Mexican migrants criminals and pledged to build a massive border wall.

(Reuters)

Sinaloa state native Guadalupe Olivas Valencia, 44, threw himself 100 feet to his death, authorities said

With just a plastic bag of belongings in his hand, a Mexican man who was deported from the United States Tuesday promptly killed himself, jumping off a bridge in view of the US border. Sinaloa state native Guadalupe Olivas Valencia, 44, threw himself to his death, authorities said. He had jumped 30 metres (100 feet). Witnesses said the man was in great distress after being sent back to Mexico for a third time. The tragedy comes as US President Donald Trump has pledged to deport millions of undocumented migrants living in the United States. Trump has called Mexican migrants criminals and pledged to build a massive border wall. (Reuters)

Mexican migrant kills self after third deportation from US

In an interview with CBS&#39;s 60 Minutes, US President-elect Donald Trump said he was &quot;saddened&quot; by reports of a surge in the the harassment of minorities since his election and told his supporters to &quot;stop it&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;If it helps. I will say this, and I will say right to the cameras: Stop it,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

But he did also criticise the protests, saying he had seen only &quot;a very small amount&quot; of racial slurs aimed at minorities.&nbsp;

&quot;I think it&#39;s built up by the press,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&quot;I&#39;m going to bring this country together,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

The interview was his first since being elected President.

Fine with same-sex marriage

When asked if he would try and revoke same-sex marriage, Trump said, &quot;It&#39;s law. It was settled in the Supreme Court. I mean it&#39;s done.&quot;

&quot;And I&#39;m, I&#39;m fine with that,&quot; he added.

Trump told Americans protesting against him not to be afraid of his presidency.&nbsp;

&quot;Don&#39;t be afraid. We are going to bring our country back,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

At the same time he reassured loyalists with pro-gun and anti-abortion views, saying judges nominated to the Supreme Court under his watch would hold similar views.&nbsp;

And finally, he said he would adhere to his promise made during campaigning that he would not take the $400,000 the US President earns.&nbsp;

&quot;I&#39;m not going to take the salary. I&#39;m not taking it.&quot; He later added, &quot;I think I have to by law take $1, so I&#39;ll take $1 a year.&quot;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

He also criticised the protests against him, and said he had seen only 'a very small amount' of racial slurs aimed at minorities

In an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes, US President-elect Donald Trump said he was "saddened" by reports of a surge in the the harassment of minorities since his election and told his supporters to "stop it". "If it helps. I will say this, and I will say right to the cameras: Stop it," he said. But he did also criticise the protests, saying he had seen only "a very small amount" of racial slurs aimed at minorities. "I think it's built up by the press," he said. "I'm going to bring this country together," he added. The interview was his first since being elected President. Fine with same-sex marriage When asked if he would try and revoke same-sex marriage, Trump said, "It's law. It was settled in the Supreme Court. I mean it's done." "And I'm, I'm fine with that," he added. Trump told Americans protesting against him not to be afraid of his presidency. "Don't be afraid. We are going to bring our country back," he said. At the same time he reassured loyalists with pro-gun and anti-abortion views, saying judges nominated to the Supreme Court under his watch would hold similar views. And finally, he said he would adhere to his promise made during campaigning that he would not take the $400,000 the US President earns. "I'm not going to take the salary. I'm not taking it." He later added, "I think I have to by law take $1, so I'll take $1 a year." (WION with inputs from agencies)

Trump to supporters harassing minorities: 'Stop it'

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