Pentagon plans expanded role for military at the border

U.S. Mexico Border.
(Image credit: John Moore / Getty Images)

The Pentagon is looking to increase the military's role at the border and allow several hundred troops to interact directly with migrants, The Washington Post reported on Friday.

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan on Friday is expected to approve a request from the Department of Homeland Security of 300 waivers for military lawyers, cooks and drivers. The waivers would exempt them from the policy that prevents interaction with migrants at so that they can assist in deportation hearings, drive migrants to detention facilities, and hand out drinks and snacks while law enforcement accompany them, the Post says. The Pentagon previously approved one similar waiver in recent months so troops could provide migrants medical care.

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.