On Wednesday Secretary of Defense James Mattis is headed to the United States southern border to visit the U.S. troops deployed there.
This stop is part of a one-day trip for Mattis. During this trip he will stop in Texas to meet with the military deployed there to strengthen border security. This is according to a Department of Defense press release from Tuesday.
Per the release:
Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis embarks Wednesday, Nov. 14 on a one-day trip that includes stops in Texas and Wyoming.
In Texas, Secretary Mattis will meet with service members currently deployed in support of the Southwest border mission.
At F.E. Warren Air Force Base, WY, the secretary will attend a ceremony marking the beginning of the process to return of the Bells of Balangiga to the Philippines.
NEW: Defense Sec. James Mattis will travel to McAllen, Texas tomorrow as part of a one-day trip to visit with troops along the border. https://t.co/PQOMHPF7GG pic.twitter.com/ziOMILdRXg
— ABC News (@ABC) November 13, 2018
After the meeting, Mattis will head to Wyoming for a ceremony for the return of the Bells of Balangiga to the Philippines.
There have been around 7,000 troops deployed to the southern border. Of those troops at least 2,800 of them are in Texas, per a Tuesday report from The Hill. They are expected to remain deployed in the area for at least the next month.
Mattis to visit border troops, still no cost estimate https://t.co/3hujYhugMF
— Tara Copp (@TaraCopp) November 13, 2018
President Trump has stated there could be at least 15,000 troops deployed to the border to stop the incoming migrant caravan.
The caravan departed Honduras on October 13 and has traveled approximately 1,500 miles. When the caravan reaches Tijuana, there will still be 1,350 miles to travel in order to reach the United States border.
