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Pentagon Chief to Visit US Southern Border Wednesday

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FILE - Defense Secretary Jim Mattis waits outside the Pentagon, Nov. 9, 2018.
FILE - Defense Secretary Jim Mattis waits outside the Pentagon, Nov. 9, 2018.
PENTAGON — 

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis says he will travel to the U.S. southern border Wednesday, where thousands of American troops have been deployed to support border patrol agents.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday at the Pentagon, Mattis said there has been "no change" to the U.S. military mission "at this time."

"We're doing the obstacle emplacement, we do have helicopters down there," he said. "We will have to see what the future holds, but right now that is the only mission I have."

FILE - In this photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, soldiers from the 89th Military Police Brigade, and 41st Engineering Company, 19th Engineering Battalion, Fort Riley, Kansas, arrive at Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas, Nov. 1, 2018.
FILE - In this photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, soldiers from the 89th Military Police Brigade, and 41st Engineering Company, 19th Engineering Battalion, Fort Riley, Kansas, arrive at Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas, Nov. 1, 2018.

President Donald Trump called for increased border security to prevent a caravan of asylum-seeking migrants from Central America from entering the United States, declaring on several occasions its approach constituted a "national emergency."

WATCH: Border troops

Troops at the US Border are Stringing Wire and Building Barracks
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Troops at the US Border are Stringing Wire and Building Barracks
by Voice of America (VOA News)

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More than 5,600 active-duty troops and another 2,100 National Guard troops have moved into the U.S.-Mexico border area due to requests for help from the Department of Homeland Security.

A U.S. defense official told VOA that Mattis will visit McAllen, Texas, where about 1,000 U.S. troops are deployed.

The U.S. troops assigned to help with border security are legally prohibited from engaging in domestic law enforcement, such as arresting migrants crossing the border.

US Army Sets Up Camp on the US Southern Border

Some of the tasks of the U.S. military on the U.S.-Mexico border depend on the needs of the U.S. Border Patrol and establishing a rhythm of work in the camps. Voice of America spoke with some of the young soldiers whose first mission has been to patrol the southern border.
1/10 Some of the tasks of the U.S. military on the U.S.-Mexico border depend on the needs of the U.S. Border Patrol and establishing a rhythm of work in the camps. Voice of America spoke with some of the young soldiers whose first mission has been to patrol the southern border.
Soldier Daniel Pérez, 20, serves with the military police. The unit is part of the troops sent to South Texas to help the operation. "I wanted to be in the Army to start a new future and a new story, and to do something better with my life and my family too," he said.
2/10 Soldier Daniel Pérez, 20, serves with the military police. The unit is part of the troops sent to South Texas to help the operation. "I wanted to be in the Army to start a new future and a new story, and to do something better with my life and my family too," he said.
Like Daniel Pérez, there are other military personnel whose first mission has been securing the border between Mexico and the United States. Pérez, who is the son of Mexican migrants, understands the desperation of the members of the caravan, but still insists that people have to respect the rules.
3/10 Like Daniel Pérez, there are other military personnel whose first mission has been securing the border between Mexico and the United States. Pérez, who is the son of Mexican migrants, understands the desperation of the members of the caravan, but still insists that people have to respect the rules.
The tasks of the U.S. military on the border depend on the needs of the Border Patrol as migrant caravans continue to advance from Mexico.
4/10 The tasks of the U.S. military on the border depend on the needs of the Border Patrol as migrant caravans continue to advance from Mexico.
The military troops sent to Donna, Texas, cover a fairly wide age range; from young people, like soldier Daniel Pérez, to more experienced soldiers of higher ranks.
5/10 The military troops sent to Donna, Texas, cover a fairly wide age range; from young people, like soldier Daniel Pérez, to more experienced soldiers of higher ranks.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said that all immigrants seeking asylum will have to appear legally at a port of entry and has warned: “Those who choose to violate our laws and enter illegally will no longer be able to use claims without merit to obtain automatic admission into our country. We will stop them for a long time if necessary.”
6/10 U.S. President Donald Trump has said that all immigrants seeking asylum will have to appear legally at a port of entry and has warned: “Those who choose to violate our laws and enter illegally will no longer be able to use claims without merit to obtain automatic admission into our country. We will stop them for a long time if necessary.”
Private Perez told Voice of America: it "is better to come thru a legal port of entry, because if they do it illegally, I have to do my job, I’m a professional. But if they come legally I will be there for them.”
7/10 Private Perez told Voice of America: it "is better to come thru a legal port of entry, because if they do it illegally, I have to do my job, I’m a professional. But if they come legally I will be there for them.”
With the advance of at least three caravans of thousands of Central Americans who left Honduras weeks ago, the possibility of their arrival at the U.S. border could increase in coming days.  Although some have abandoned the attempt and returned to their countries, thousands have continued to travel northward despite the deployment of U.S. troops.
8/10 With the advance of at least three caravans of thousands of Central Americans who left Honduras weeks ago, the possibility of their arrival at the U.S. border could increase in coming days.  Although some have abandoned the attempt and returned to their countries, thousands have continued to travel northward despite the deployment of U.S. troops.
In addition to setting up the camp in Donna, Texas, the U.S. Army, Customs and Border Protection personnel (CBP) have conducted an anti-riot exercise on the Santa Fe International Bridge, between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso.
9/10 In addition to setting up the camp in Donna, Texas, the U.S. Army, Customs and Border Protection personnel (CBP) have conducted an anti-riot exercise on the Santa Fe International Bridge, between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso.
While the Donna, Texas, camp prepares to help the U.S. Border Patrol, migrant caravans continue to move forward through Mexico. After Guadalajara, Jalisco state, the caravan's largest group continued to Culiacán (Sinaloa) and Hermosillo (Sonora), until they reached Tijuana.
10/10 While the Donna, Texas, camp prepares to help the U.S. Border Patrol, migrant caravans continue to move forward through Mexico. After Guadalajara, Jalisco state, the caravan's largest group continued to Culiacán (Sinaloa) and Hermosillo (Sonora), until they reached Tijuana.
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Mattis' border visit comes as sources say Trump is considering the removal of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.

Nielsen was selected as secretary at Homeland Security after John Kelly left the post to become Trump's chief of staff.

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