Trump to Sign Proclamation Deploying National Guard to US-Mexico Border 'Immediately'

In response to news of Trump's plan, Marselha Goncalves Margerin of Amnesty International argued in a statement that militarizing the border in an effort to prevent asylum seekers from reaching safety "could put the lives of some of the world's most vulnerable people in grave danger." (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Trump to Sign Proclamation Deploying National Guard to US-Mexico Border 'Immediately'

Neither the White House press secretary nor the secretary of homeland security would deny that the move was influenced by Fox News

Fulfilling a "disturbing" proposal first floated during a meeting with Baltic leaders on Tuesday, President Donald Trump directed the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security on Wednesday to begin working with American governors to deploy the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border "immediately"--a move some have speculated is the result of Fox News coverage of the "caravans" of migrants headed toward the U.S.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen announced Trump's move during a press briefing on Wednesday and said the president will soon "be signing a proclamation" making the decision official, but did not offer any details on the number of troops being deployed to the border or how long they will be there.

Watch:

When asked whether Trump's decision to deploy troops to the border was influenced by Fox's coverage of the migrant "caravan"--which largely consists of Honduran asylum seekers fleeing violence--both Nielson and Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders dodged.

Watch:

In response to news of Trump's plan, Marselha Goncalves Margerin of Amnesty International argued in a statement that militarizing the border in an effort to prevent asylum seekers from reaching safety "could put the lives of some of the world's most vulnerable people in grave danger."

"Instead of recklessly trying to block their pathway to safety, the Trump administration has an obligation to protect all those seeking refuge and to respect their right to claim asylum," Margerin said. "To deny them that right would be a serious violation of both U.S. and international law."

Join Us: News for people demanding a better world


Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place.

We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference.

Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today!

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.