Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said that President Trump, DHS and the Department Of Defense, working alongside governors of each state, will deploy the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mr. Trump will sign a proclamation certifying his intent Wednesday, Nielsen said during the White House briefing. However, the president doesn't have unilateral authority to send National Guard troops to the border. That must be done in a memorandum of agreement in conjunction with the governors of the border states, and the numbers of guardsmen are still being negotiated.

"Border security is homeland security, which is national security," she told reporters.

The National Guards' duties would include aerial surveillance and support of existing border patrol agents but not apprehensions.

Nielsen said Mr. Trump's move comes in response to Congress's failure to pass strict border security legislation or provide proper funding for Trump administration immigration initiatives. She was unable to provide a cost estimate for the deployment project.

"Unfortunately – time and again – Congress has failed to act. Worse still, some members of Congress have continually opposed efforts to secure the border," she said.

Nielsen said migrants seeking refuge in the United States, particularly those hailing from Central America who then travel through Mexico, are taking advantage of "loopholes" to seek political asylum in the United States.

"While we have been apprehending aliens at the border with historic efficiency – these illicit smuggling groups saw that our ability to actually remove those who come here illegally did not keep pace," Nielsen said. "They saw that there were loopholes they could exploit to avoid detention and removal."

Soon after a Fox & Friends segment that aired on Easter Sunday, Mr. Trump expressed vehement disapproval, both on Twitter and in recent diplomatic meetings, of the migrant caravans traveling through Mexico and approaching the United States' southern border.

These caravans, which are lead by Pueblos Sin Fronteras, which translates in English to "people without borders," have guided asylum seekers north through Mexico since 2010. While the caravan contains roughly 1,100 people, most from Honduras, the Mexico director of Pueblos Sin Fronteras estimates that fewer than 100 marchers would attempt to cross into the United States, with the majority attempting to stay in Mexico.

"I think it has everything to do with protecting this country and I don't think this should come as a surprise," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in response to a question asking if Mr. Trump has acted on the issue because of the Fox & Friends segment.</s>Asserting the situation had reached “a point of crisis,” President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a proclamation ordering the deployment of the National Guard to the US-Mexico border to fight illegal immigration.

“The lawlessness that continues at our southern border is fundamentally incompatible with the safety, security, and sovereignty of the American people,” Trump wrote in a memo authorizing the move, adding that his administration had “no choice but to act.”

The announcement came hours after Trump pledged “strong action today” on immigration and a day after he said he announced he wanted to use the military to secure the southern border until his long-promised, stalled border wall is erected. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said she had been in discussions with the governors of the southwest border states and has been working with them to develop agreements that will oversee where and how many Guardsmen will be deployed

She suggested some troops could begin arriving as soon as Wednesday night, though other administration officials cautioned that details on troop levels, locations and timing were still being worked out. Trump has been frustrated by slow action on building his “big, beautiful wall” along the Mexican border _ the signature promise of his campaign _ as well as a recent uptick in illegal border crossings, which had plunged during the early months of his presidency, giving Trump an accomplishment to point to when he had few.

Federal law prohibits the use of active-duty service members for law enforcement inside the US, unless specifically authorized by Congress. But over the past 12 years, presidents have twice sent National Guard troops to the border to bolster security and assist with surveillance and other support.

Nielsen said the effort would be similar to a 2006 operation in which President George W. Bush deployed troops to help US Customs and Border Protection personnel with non-law enforcement duties while additional border agents were hired and trained. President Barack Obama also sent about 1,200 troops in 2010 to beef up efforts against drug smuggling and illegal immigration.

Nielsen said her department had developed a list of locations where it would like assistance on things like aerial surveillance and other support, and was discussing with the governors how to facilitate the plans. She declined to say how many personnel would be needed or how much the operation would cost, but she insisted, “It will be as many as is needed to fill the gaps that we have today.”

One congressional aide said that lawmakers anticipate 300 to 1,200 troops will be deployed and that the cost was expected to be at least $60 million to $120 million a year. The Pentagon would probably need authorization from Congress for any funding beyond a few months, said the aide, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Governors of the four US states bordering Mexico were largely supportive of the move. The office of California Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat who has sparred with Trump on immigration issues, said any federal request would be promptly reviewed to determine how the state could best offer its assistance.

But in Mexico, senators urged President Enrique Pena Nieto to temporarily suspend cooperation with the U.S. on immigration and security issues. In a nonbinding statement approved unanimously Wednesday, the senators asked Mexico’s government to freeze joint efforts “in the fight against transnational organized crime” until Trump starts acting “with the civility and respect that the people of Mexico deserve.”

Trump first revealed Tuesday that he’d been discussing the idea of using the military at the border with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

“We’re going to be doing things militarily. Until we can have a wall and proper security, we’re going to be guarding our border with the military,” Trump said.

He spent the first months of his presidency bragging about a dramatic drop in illegal border crossings, which some DHS officials had even dubbed the “Trump effect.” Indeed, arrests at the border last April were at the lowest level since DHS was created in 2003, and the 2017 fiscal year saw a 45-year low for Border Patrol arrests.

But the numbers have been slowly ticking up since last April and are now on par with many months of the Obama administration. New statistics released Wednesday show about 50,000 arrests of people trying to cross the southwest border last month, a 37 percent increase from the previous month, and a 203 percent increase compared to March 2017.

Trump’s new focus on hard-line immigration policies appears aimed, at least in part, in drawing a political contrast with Democrats heading into the midterm elections. He has also been under growing pressure from conservative backers who have accused him of betraying his base for not delivering on the wall, and he was set off by images played on his favorite network, Fox News, of a “caravan” of migrants making their way through Mexico.

In Texas, which already has about 100 National Guard members stationed on the border, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, said the president’s decision “reinforces Texas’ longstanding commitment to secure our southern border and uphold the Rule of Law.”

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican, said she appreciated the Trump administration’s efforts to involve states in the effort to better secure the border. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, also a Republican, tweeted that his state “welcomes the deployment of National Guard to the border. Washington has ignored this issue for too long and help is needed.”

For all the latest World News, download Indian Express App</s>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and border-state governors are working to "immediately" deploy the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border to fight illegal immigration, with some troops potentially arriving later Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said.

"The threat is real," Nielsen said at an afternoon briefing, adding that Trump was signing a proclamation to put the deployment into effect. "It's time to act."

The announcement came hours after Trump pledged "strong action today" on immigration and a day after he said he wants to use the military to secure the southern border until his "big, beautiful wall" is erected.

In a tweet early Wednesday, Trump said that "Our Border Laws are very weak" and that Democrats "stand in our way" of new laws. He added, "We will be taking strong action today."

Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he'd been discussing the idea of using the military at the border with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

"We're going to be doing things militarily. Until we can have a wall and proper security, we're going to be guarding our border with the military," Trump said, calling the move a "big step."

Federal law prohibits the use of active-duty service members for law enforcement inside the U.S., unless specifically authorized by Congress. But over the past 12 years, presidents have twice sent National Guard troops to the border to bolster security and assist with surveillance and other support. The White House counsel's office has been working on the idea for several weeks, according to a senior official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal plans.

Trump has been frustrated by slow action on building a wall along the Mexican border. He's previously suggested using the Pentagon's budget to pay for the wall, arguing it is a national security priority, despite strict rules that prohibit spending that's not authorized by Congress.

Nielsen said the administration was considering a model similar to a 2006 operation in which President George W. Bush deployed National Guard troops to the southern border, with a focus on assisting U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel.

"We are anxious to have the support," she said.

Under Operation Jump Start, 6,000 National Guard troops were sent to assist the border patrol with non-law enforcement duties while additional border agents were hired and trained. Over two years, about 29,000 National Guard forces participated as forces rotated in and out. The Guard members were used for surveillance, communications, administrative support, intelligence, analysis and the installation of border security infrastructure.

In addition, President Barack Obama sent about 1,200 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in 2010 to beef up efforts against drug smuggling and illegal immigration.

Texas also deployed military forces to its 800-mile (1,290-kilometer) border with Mexico. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, now Trump's energy secretary, sent 1,000 Texas National Guardsmen to the Rio Grande Valley in 2014 in response to a sharp increase in Central American children crossing the border alone.

Trump met Tuesday with top administration officials, including Mattis, Nielsen and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, to discuss the administration's strategy to address what White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders described as "the growing influx of illegal immigration, drugs and violent gang members from Central America."

In addition to mobilizing the National Guard, Trump and senior officials "agreed on the need to pressure Congress to urgently pass legislation to close legal loopholes exploited by criminal trafficking, narco-terrorist and smuggling organizations," Sanders said.

Trump has been fixated on the issue since he grudgingly signed a spending bill last month that includes far less money for the wall than he'd hoped for.

The $1.3 trillion package included $1.6 billion for border wall spending — a fraction of the $25 billion Trump made a last-minute push to secure. And much of that money can be used only to repair existing segments, not to build new sections.

Trump spent the first months of his presidency bragging about a dramatic drop in illegal border crossings. Indeed, the 2017 fiscal year marked a 45-year low for Border Patrol arrests. But the numbers have been slowly ticking up since last April and are now on par with many months of the Obama administration. Statistics show 36,695 arrests of people trying to cross the southwest border in February 2018, up from 23,555 in the same month of the previous year.

At last week's meeting, Trump "directed a vigorous administrative strategy to confront this threat and protect America's national security," Sanders said. Tuesday's briefing was a follow-up to discuss the plans.

Associated Press writers Elliot Spagat in San Diego; Mark Sherman, Catherine Lucey, Darlene Superville and Kevin Freking in Washington; Nomaan Merchant in Houston; and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City contributed to this report.</s>President Donald Trump will sign a proclamation directing agencies to deploy the National Guard to the southwest border, Homeland Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced Wednesday.

“The President has directed that the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security work together with our governors to deploy the National Guard to our southwest border,” Nielsen said at the White House.

The formal move follows days of public fuming by Trump about immigration policy, during which he has tweeted about immigration legislation in Congress, a caravan of migrants making its way through Mexico and what he calls weak border laws.

Nielsen, however, said that details of the plan were still being worked out and would not be coming on Wednesday.

“While plans are being finalized, it’s our expectation that the National Guard will deploy personnel in support of CBP’s border security mission,” Nielsen said. “I will not provide the full details today.”

The secretary added that she didn’t want to “get ahead” of the state governors who will have a heavy say in the deployment of troops, but said it would be similar to past similar efforts.

“It will be strong, it will be as many as needed to fill the gaps today,” she said.

Since the passage of the government spending package for the year — which included $1.6 billion for border security but only a few dozen miles of new border barrier construction and a nearly equal amount of replacement fencing — Trump has been critical of Congress for denying him more money.

Trump privately floated the idea of funding construction of a southern border wall through the US military budget in conversations with advisers, two sources confirmed to CNN last week — a plan that faces likely insurmountable obstacles in Congress.

Sending National Guard troops to the border is not unprecedented. Both of Trump’s predecessors also did so, though the moves were criticized for being costly and of limited effectiveness.

US law limits what the troops can actually do. Federal law prohibits the military from being used to enforce laws, meaning troops cannot actually participate in immigration enforcement. In the past, they’ve served support roles like training, construction and intelligence gathering.

From 2006-2008, President George W. Bush deployed 6,000 guardsmen to Southern border states, costing $1.2 billion and assisting with 11.7% of total apprehensions at the border and 9.4% of marijuana seized in that time.

From 2010-2012, President Barack Obama sent 1,200 guardsmen to the border to the tune of more than $110 million, and they assisted with 5.9% of the total apprehensions and 2.6% of the marijuana seizures on the border.</s>Washington, April 5 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation to send the National Guard to the country’s border with Mexico, a senior White House official has said.

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said on Wednesday at the White House press briefing that the signing would be done in conjunction with governors and that the administration hoped the deployment would begin “immediately”, Fox News reported.

“Despite a number of steps this administration has taken…we continue to see unacceptable levels of illegal drugs, dangerous gang activity transnational criminal organisations and illegal immigration flow across our border,” she said.

“The President has directed that the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security work together with our governors to deploy our National Guard to our southwest border to assist the border patrol,” she said. “The president will be signing a proclamation to that effect today.”

Details about what the National Guard would do and how many would be deployed and for how long were not immediately disclosed.

Under the George W. Bush administration, deploying the National Guard to the border cost $415 million.

Nielsen pointed to what she described as increasing fraud and exploited loopholes among arrivals on the southern border, saying traffickers have been advertising that if migrants have children with them, then they are more likely to be released into the US. She also said that almost 50 per cent of arriving aliens are from Central America.

“Traffickers and smugglers know that these individuals cannot under US law be easily removed in an expeditious way back to their country of origin and so they exploit the loophole,” she said, adding that the ability to game the system acts as a magnet for more migrants.

She said that the administration has drafted legislation and will ask Congress to provide legal authority and resources to address the problem.

“We will not allow illegal immigration levels to become the norm,” she said. “More than 1,000 people a day, 300,000 a year violating our sovereignty as a nation will never be acceptable to this president.”

Trump had tweeted earlier on Wednesday that he would “be taking strong action today (Wednesday)” on the Mexico border, a day after he said that he wants to send the military to secure it until a wall is built.</s>Members of the California National Guard work next to the US-Mexico border fence in 2006. Picture: AP

Members of the California National Guard work next to the US-Mexico border fence in 2006. Picture: AP

US President Donald Trump will sign a proclamation ordering the deployment of the National Guard to help protect the border with Mexico, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen says.

Troops may be heading to the border as early as Wednesday night (US time), Ms Nielsen said, saying that the National Guard would support US Custom and Border Protection but would not be involved in enforcement.

Ms Nielsen spoke at a White House news briefing a day after Mr Trump sharpened his anti-immigration rhetoric by saying he wanted to deploy US military forces until his promised border wall is built.

"The president has directed that the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security work together with our governors to deploy the National Guard to our southwest border to assist the Border Patrol," Ms Nielsen said.

"The president will be signing a proclamation to that effect today."

She said the administration had drafted legislation and would be asking congress to provide the legal authority and resources to address "this crisis at our borders".

She did not give the number of the troops to be deployed or the cost of the operation.

Ms Nielsen said that despite steps taken by the administration, the levels of drug smuggling, illegal immigration and dangerous gang activity across the border were unacceptable.

Mr Trump met with Defence Secretary James Mattis, Attorney-General Jeff Sessions, Ms Nielsen and other officials to discuss border issues on Tuesday.

"Until we can have a wall and proper security we're going to be guarding our border with the military," Mr Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday, lamenting what he called "horrible" US laws that left the southern border poorly protected.

On Wednesday, Mr Trump said in a tweet: "Our Border Laws are very weak while those of Mexico & Canada are very strong. Congress must change these Obama era, and other, laws NOW!"</s>(CNN) — President Donald Trump will sign a proclamation directing agencies to deploy the National Guard to the southwest border, Homeland Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced Wednesday.

“The President has directed that the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security work together with our governors to deploy the National Guard to our southwest border,” Nielsen said at the White House.

The formal move follows days of public fuming by Trump about immigration policy, during which he has tweeted about immigration legislation in Congress, a caravan of migrants making its way through Mexico and what he calls weak border laws.

Nielsen said troops could be sent to the border as soon as Wednesday night.

“It does mean that,” Nielsen said when asked about how quickly this could be implemented. “It also means we will do it in conjunction with the governors.”

But details of the plan were scarce — Nielsen said details like numbers of those deployed, where they will go, exactly what they will do, how much it will cost and how long they will stay were still being worked out.

“While plans are being finalized, it’s our expectation that the National Guard will deploy personnel in support of CBP’s border security mission,” Nielsen said. “I will not provide the full details today.”

The secretary added that she didn’t want to “get ahead” of the state governors who will have a heavy say in the deployment of troops, but said it would be similar to past similar efforts.

“It will be strong, it will be as many as needed to fill the gaps today,” she said.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey tweeted, “Arizona welcomes the deployment of National Guard to the border. Washington has ignored this issue for too long and help is needed. For Arizona, it’s all about public safety.”

Asked if the move Wednesday came because of something the President saw on TV — a reference to his ire about the migrant caravan after it was covered on Fox News — Nielsen demurred.

“I think what’s true is the President is frustrated. He’s been very clear he wants to secure the border,” Nielsen said. “I think what you’re seeing is the President taking his job very seriously.”

Since the passage of the government spending package for the year — which included $1.6 billion for border security but only a few dozen miles of new border barrier construction and a nearly equal amount of replacement fencing — Trump has been critical of Congress for denying him more money.

Trump privately floated the idea of funding construction of a southern border wall through the US military budget in conversations with advisers, two sources confirmed to CNN last week — a plan that faces likely insurmountable obstacles in Congress.

Nielsen spent a large portion of her time at the White House podium criticizing Congress for failing to pass meaningful immigration laws or give DHS the authorities it has asked for, some of which would amount to dramatic changes to US law that could have implications in the courts and international law.

Nielsen also faced questions about why the announcement was timed Wednesday. Border numbers have been historically low, and a study from DHS this fall determined the border was at its most secure and most impervious to illegal immigration point in history.

The secretary cited a historic uptick in border crossings in spring months like April and advertising from smuggling groups, calling it in part “anticipating.”

“Why not yesterday and tomorrow? Today is the day we want to start this process,” Nielsen said. “The threat is real as I mentioned.”

Sending National Guard troops to the border is not unprecedented. Both of Trump’s predecessors also did so, though the moves were criticized for being costly and of limited effectiveness.

US law limits what the troops can actually do. Federal law prohibits the military from being used to enforce laws, meaning troops cannot actually participate in immigration enforcement. In the past, they’ve served support roles like training, construction and intelligence gathering.

From 2006-2008, President George W. Bush deployed 6,000 guardsmen to Southern border states, costing $1.2 billion and assisting with 11.7% of total apprehensions at the border and 9.4% of marijuana seized in that time.

From 2010-2012, President Barack Obama sent 1,200 guardsmen to the border to the tune of more than $110 million, and they assisted with 5.9% of the total apprehensions and 2.6% of the marijuana seizures on the border.</s>The United States is already funding the on-going construction of a wall at US-Mexico border. (Photo: File/AP)

Washington: United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday night signed a proclamation to deploy the US national guards at the US-Mexican border to block the movement of illegal immigrants into the country via the Mexican border.

"The president has directed that the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security work together with our governors to deploy our National Guard to our southwest border to assist the border patrol," Fox News reported Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, as saying at the White House press briefing.

"Despite a number of steps this administration has taken...we continue to see unacceptable levels of illegal drugs, dangerous gang activity, transnational criminal organisations and illegal immigration flow across our border," she added.

The deployment of the National Guard to the border had reportedly cost 415 million dollars under the George W Bush administration.

This comes after the Trump's statement at the Baltic summit on Tuesday where he claimed to prepare its military forces to guard the (US-Mexico) borders after consulting Former Major General of US Army (Ret.) General David Morris.

Further details regarding the number of military troops deployed, their positions, the financing of the troops and the total duration of military deployment at the borders have not been disclosed. The United States is already funding the on-going construction of a wall at US-Mexico border.</s>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump will sign a proclamation on Wednesday ordering the deployment of the National Guard to help protect the border with Mexico, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said.

“The president has directed that the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security work together with our governors to deploy the National Guard to our southwest border to assist the Border Patrol,” Nielsen said at a White House briefing.

“The president will be signing a proclamation to that effect today.”</s>(AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File). FILE - In this June 21, 2006, file photo, members of the California National Guard work next to the U.S.-Mexico border fence Wednesday, June 21, 2006, near the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego. President Donald Trump ...

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, file). FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 19, 2007 file photo, a National Guard unit patrols at the Arizona-Mexico border in Sasabe, Ariz. President Donald Trump said April 3, 2018, he wants to use the military to secure the U.S.-M...

(AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File). FILE - In this July 19, 2006, file photo, a California Army National Guardsman grades dirt with a tractor next to the second U.S.-Mexico border fence in San Diego. President Donald Trump said April 3, 2018, he wants to use...

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, file). FILE - In this June 20, 2008 file photo, members of the 200th Red Horse Air National Guard Civil Engineering Squadron from Camp Perry in Ohio, including Tech Sgt. David Hughes, right, and Tech Sgt. William Bunker, sec...

(AP Photo/Khampha Bouaphanh). In this June 13, 2006, file photo, Utah National Guard soldiers work on extending a border fence in San Luis, Ariz., President Donald Trump said April 3, 2018, he wants to use the military to secure the U.S.-Mexico border ...

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump and immigration (all times local):

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's office says he will add more National Guard members to the roughly 100 already deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border in the state.

Abbott said in a statement Wednesday that he welcomed the Trump administration's announcement that it will "immediately" deploy guardsmen to the southwest border. The Republican governor said the announcement "reinforces Texas' longstanding commitment to secure our southern border."

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry ordered 1,000 guardsmen to the border in July 2014 during a large spike in crossings by unaccompanied migrant children. State leaders announced months later that they would wind down most of that deployment.

Texas also has state troopers stationed at its border to assist the Border Patrol and local law enforcement.

Republicans who lead congressional Homeland Security committees are supporting President Donald Trump's plan to deploy National Guard troops on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, chairman of the House homeland panel, calls the move "a positive step toward providing the safety this nation has long demanded" on the border.

Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, chairman of the Senate homeland panel, also backs Trump's action and says he is working with the administration to fix the "broken" immigration system and close legal loopholes that encourage illegal immigration.

Johnson says the president and Congress have a duty to protect American citizens and secure the border.

Democratic Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico denounced the plan as "another pitiful attempt to distract attention from the dangerous chaos" Trump has created.

The Trump administration says it is working with governors to "immediately" deploy the National Guard to combat illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said Wednesday that DHS and the Pentagon will be working closely with governors in the affected states.

She says that deployment will be done as expeditiously as possible and that Guard troops could begin heading to the border as soon as Wednesday night.

Trump announced his plan to send the military to the border during a meeting with Baltic leaders Tuesday.

Trump has been frustrated by Congress' refusal to fund building a wall along the length of the U.S. border as well as an increase in illegal border crossings.

President Donald Trump will be signing a proclamation directing the departments of Defense and Homeland Security to work together with governors to deploy the National Guard to the southwest border.

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen made the announcement at the White House on Wednesday. She says he'll sign the proclamation later in the day.

Nielsen is also railing against the country's current immigration laws and calling on Congress to make changes.

She says the current system "rewards bad behavior" and "it's time to act."

She says details are still being worked out, but National Guard personnel are expected to assist with U.S. Customs and Border Protection's mission.

Trump announced on Tuesday that he plans to deploy the military to the southern border until his long-promised wall is built.

Trump says on Twitter: "Our Border Laws are very weak while those of Mexico & Canada are very strong. Congress must change these Obama era, and other, laws NOW! The Democrats stand in our way - they want people to pour into our country unchecked....CRIME! We will be taking strong action today."

The president did not detail what that action would be. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump said Tuesday that wants to use the military to secure the U.S.-Mexico border until his promised border wall is erected. The White House later said Trump wanted to mobilize the National Guard.

President Donald Trump wants to use the military to secure the U.S.-Mexico border until his "big, beautiful wall" is erected.

He said during a news conference Tuesday: "Until we can have a wall and proper security, we're going to be guarding our border with the military."

He has been frustrated by the lack of progress on fulfilling the signature promise of his campaign.

Federal law prohibits the use of active-duty service members for law enforcement inside the U.S., unless specifically authorized by Congress. But over the past 12 years, presidents have twice sent National Guard troops to the border to bolster security and assist with surveillance and other support.

The administration appears to be considering a model similar to a 2006 operation deployed by President George W. Bush.

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U.S. President Donald Trump signs an order sending the National Guard to patrol the Mexico–United States border in response to Congress's failure to pass tightened border security measures.