DHS officials reportedly want to deploy an additional 700 National Guard troops

The Department of Homeland Security wants to ramp up border security even further.

DHS officials requested an additional 700 members of the National Guard to be deployed on the southern border, ABC News reported Wednesday.

The department has additionally asked the Pentagon for resources like helicopters and other equipment to assist in Customs and Border Protection efforts. President Trump last month decided to send troops to the border to address a "drastic surge of illegal activity"; about 1,600 National Guard members have been deployed, and 2,000 have been approved. The approved military presence will cost about $182 million through September, Pentagon officials say.

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Defense Secretary James Mattis has given the green light for up to 4,000 troops, who will be authorized to help border security efforts through surveillance and operational support but not immigration law enforcement. The DHS officials are pleased with the results so far, ABC News reports, saying that the National Guard's presence has led to 1,600 apprehensions.

Mattis will reportedly respond to the request for more troops Thursday. Read more at ABC News.