WASHINGTON — The Pentagon will begin deploying as many as 1,500 active duty troops to help secure the southern border in the coming days, the White House confirmed on Wednesday, putting in motion plans President Trump laid out in executive orders shortly after he took office to crack down on immigration.

The US Department of Defense is deploying 1,500 active-duty service members along with additional air and intelligence assets to the southern border to support enforcement operations already underway.

The President of the USA, Donald Trump, signed an order to send 1,500 soldiers to the border with Mexico to counter an "invasion." White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed that Trump instructed the Department of Defense to prioritize homeland security.