Saying that “America’s sovereignty is under attack,” President Donald Trump’s declaration of a border emergency comes at a time of relative calm after years of deep turmoil.

The president has directed the U.S. military to reinforce the border, and the acting secretary of defense on Wednesday announced the Pentagon is sending around 1,500 active duty troops to the country’s southern border, joining 2,500 active duty personnel already there.

The first such military flight out of El Paso, Texas, took place, bound for Guatemala with approximately 80 immigrants on board.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Active duty military troops will begin arriving in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego on Thursday evening, in what defense officials said is the first batch of the new forces being ...

The deployment signals the military’s increased role in a much more aggressive immigration policy under the second Trump administration.

The U.S. government has begun utilizing military aircraft to deport migrants, with the first flights departing from Biggs Army Air Field to Guatemala on Thursda

This is just the beginning,” one Defense official said about the deployment of active-duty troops to the border with Mexico.

Army soldiers and Marines are headed to Texas and California. The Air Force is mobilizing planes and helicopters for surveillance and deportation flights.

Active duty military troops began arriving in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego on Thursday evening in what defense officials said is the first batch of the new forces being deployed to

President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency on the border with Mexico, saying “America’s sovereignty is under attack.” Active-duty military arrived Thursday in San Diego and El Paso, Texas.

In more than 21 actions, Trump has moved to overhaul parts of the US immigration system, including how migrants are processed and deported from the US. The White House has since publicised some of these efforts. On Friday, the new White House Press Secretary shared images of deportation flights being carried out by military cargo planes.