Pentagon sending 3,750 more troops to southern border

The Pentagon announced Sunday that 3,750 additional troops will be sent to the U.S.-Mexico border, bringing the number up to 4,350.

They will assist Customs and Border Protection and install 150 miles of wire. Last week, Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan said more troops would be sent to the southern border to put up concertina wire and offer mobile surveillance and monitoring. This surveillance mission will end Sept. 30, the Pentagon said.

The first group of troops deployed in late October, for a mission that was scheduled to be completed on Dec. 15, but was extended two times. Democratic lawmakers have questioned the necessity of troops at the border, saying this interrupts training and could affect military readiness.

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