The US Department of Defense also wants to provide up to 5,500 troops to secure the border with Mexico next year. Defense Secretary Mike Esper has approved a request from the Department of Homeland Security, a ministry spokesman said. Just over a year ago, US President Donald Trump sent soldiers to the southern border to stem illegal migration. Currently there are about 2,900 soldiers and 2,000 reservists in action.
A week ago, the US Department of Defense had already released 3.6 billion dollars (3.3 billion euros) for the construction of the wall on the border with Mexico. The redeployment of budget funds from the defense budget was made possible by a declaration of emergency that Trump issued in February in the face of a dispute with Congress over the financing of the Wall.
Congress had denied Trump the billions of billions it required. The diverted funds are now destined for the expansion of existing border installations.
Mexico should pay for wall construction
The building of the Wall is one of Trump's main campaign promises. He justified the measure with illegal immigration and drug smuggling across the southern border. Actually, Mexico should pay for the mammoth project - but the neighboring country refused.
Trump recently put massive pressure on Mexico to stop migrants on their way to the US. In May, he threatened to impose tariffs on all Mexican imports. In June, Mexico pledged to stem illegal immigration to the United States, particularly from poor Central American countries such as El Salvador and Honduras. The Mexican government also sent thousands of soldiers to the border.
The effectiveness of the measures taken should be reviewed after 90 days. Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard traveled to the United States on Tuesday. US Vice President Mike Pence praised the "meaningful and unprecedented" measures of the neighboring country at a meeting with Ebrard, the White House said.
Ebrard spoke of a "friendly" conversation. Although there are still disagreements, such as dealing with asylum seekers, but the "risk of confrontation" between the two countries is getting smaller.