ATLANTA — About 200 soldiers from Fort Stewart are heading to the southern border to carry out missions directed by President Donald Trump, the military base confirmed on Monday.
“The 549th Military Police Company, 16th Military Police Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps and the 530th Combat Engineer Company, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division departed on Sunday, Jan. 26,” the base said.
Shortly after being sworn in as president, Trump declared an emergency at the border saying “America’s sovereignty is under attack.”
According to a news release from Fort Stewart, the base said the “units will support enhanced detection and monitoring efforts and repair and emplacement of physical barriers.”
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“Our Soldiers are ready to answer our nation’s call,” said Lt. Col. Angel Tomko, the 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson. “Our units train extensively to serve our nation’s interest both stateside and abroad and we are sending our finest professionals for this mission.”
The soldiers are part of the 1,500 active-duty personnel from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps who have been deployed to the border in addition to the 2,500 service members already there.
In just his first week in office, Trump’s administration has halted refugee arrivals; fast-tracked deportations; sent military troops to the southern border; lifted longtime rules restricting immigration enforcement near schools, churches and hospitals; attempted to end birthright citizenship; and ordered federal prosecutors to investigate state or local officials who they believe are interfering with his crackdown on illegal immigration.
Many U.S. adults support stronger security at the southern border and deporting immigrants in the U.S. illegally who have been convicted of violent crimes, according to a survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. But some actions have less consensus. About 4 in 10 American adults support deporting all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally while a similar share are opposed.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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