Biden sending 1,500 troops to southern border as Title 42 ends — but not to secure the border

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday agreed to send 1,500 US soldiers to the Mexico border at the Biden administration’s request — though only to perform administrative tasks with Title 42 set to end next week.

“For 90 days, these 1,500 military personnel will fill critical capability gaps, such as ground-based detection and monitoring, data entry, and warehouse support, until [Border Patrol agents] can address these needs through contracted support,” said Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.

The Department of Homeland Security requested the Pentagon’s assistance to get ahead of an expected surge of migrants when Title 42 expires May 11. The active-duty units will focus on logistical duties rather than enforcement, leaving Border Patrol to devote their resources to stemming the coming tide of tens of thousands of illegal border-crossers.

“Military personnel will not directly participate in law enforcement activities,” Ryder said. “This deployment to the border is consistent with other forms of military support to DHS over many years.”

Service members will start arriving in the border region on May 10, Ryder said. They will be armed but only permitted to use their weapons for self-defense.