Thread: 250 military personnel respond to Texas-Mexico border to meet migrant caravan

250 military personnel respond to Texas-Mexico border to meet migrant caravan

John Tufts, San Angelo Standard-Times Published 5:59 p.m. CT Feb. 5, 2019 | Updated 3:36 p.m. CT Feb. 6, 2019

Texas Department of Public Safety (Photo: Daniel Borunda/El Paso Times)


The U.S. military, along with hundreds of state and federal officers, have been dispatched to the Texas-Mexico border to meeting a Central American caravan of almost 2,000 people hoping to cross into the United States, according to officials.

Authorities say the migrants, consisting of men, women and children, arrived Monday, Feb. 4, 2019 in the Mexico city of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass in Maverick County, Texas.

There to meet the sudden influx of migrants is a surge in law enforcement that includes multiple sheriff's offices, the U.S. Border Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

"If anyone tries to cross the border illegally, they'll be arrested," said Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber.

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Schmerber said about 500 Texas state troopers had arrived in Maverick County by Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, along with 50 reserve deputies from across the state.

"We feel very comfortable that police from other counties are ready to respond," Schmerber said.
The U.S. military also was dispatched.

"In response to migrant caravan activity (on) the Texas border, (the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection) has requested (Department of Defense) support to reinforce the Eagle Pass, Texas Ports of Entry," said Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Bill Speaks.

About 250 active duty military from border security support missions in Arizona were shifted to the vicinity of Eagle Pass by acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan.

"This personnel includes military police, medical personnel, and engineers who will support hardening of these (ports of entries)," Speaks said.

"The personnel are being provided under existing authorities and in accordance with previously-approved requests for support."

Including members of the U.S. military, the U.S. Border Patrol and personnel from surrounding county sheriff's offices, Schmerber said two SWAT teams also are on standby to maintain order.

"When I went to Mexico this (Tuesday) morning, the mayor of Piedras Negras was there and told me around 1,800 (migrants) — about 80 percent from Honduras — were there," said Schmerber.

"One group of migrants is hoping to make it into Arizona and another group to Minnesota," Schmerber said.

https://www.gosanangelo.com/story/ne...nd/2782871002/

They and better not be there to give them a Happy Meal, medical care, clothes and a damn taxpayer funded hotel and transportation to their vacation destination!

WE ARE NOT THEIR UBER DRIVER, THEIR BUS DRIVER OR THEIR TRAVEL AGENT!

SEND THEM HOME!