Biden administration to send 1,500 active-duty troops to border before lifting Title 42

The Biden administration on Tuesday is reportedly planning on temporarily deploying 1,500 active-duty troops to the southern border to assist the U.S. Border Patrol before the Title 42 COVID-19 immigration restrictions are lifted. 

The troops, mostly from various Army units, are expected to serve mostly in administrative and transport positions, allowing Border Patrol to work on processing migrants and other necessary tasks, according to multiple reports. The service members will be armed for self-defense but will not participate in law enforcement operations.

Title 42 allows the U.S. to quickly deport migrants due to precautions against the spread of COVID, but when the measure expires May 11, thousands of additional migrants are expected to attempt to enter the United States.

The troops are expected to be deployed to the border for up to 90 days, and after that point, military reservists or contractors will step in.

The service members will join the 2,500 National Guard troops currently assisting at the border. 

It comes after President Joe Biden signed an executive order last week giving the administration the authority to call up active-duty forces to respond to drug trafficking.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.