AUSTIN — Texas has started sending troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, with 250 members of the National Guard expected to deploy within the next 72 hours, according to Brig. Gen. Tracy Norris, commander of the Texas Army National Guard.
Norris announced the deployment in a Friday press conference that was scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The announcement comes after President Trump formally ordered the Pentagon and Homeland Security Wednesday to deploy National Guard troops to the Mexican border to stem illegal crossings and drug trafficking.
In a tweet pledging action, Trump said: "Our Border Laws are very weak while those of Mexico & Canada are very strong. Congress must change these Obama era, and other, laws NOW! The Democrats stand in our way - they want people to pour into our country unchecked....CRIME!"
This initial phase of deployment will include command and control, coordination cells, and operation planning, as requested.
"The Texas National Guard is a force that is ready and trained with first-hand knowledge of this mission, the operating area, and a longstanding relationship with federal, state, and local law enforcement," Norris said.
WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE HERE:
Norris said state and federal officials were still determining what the responsibilities of the Guard members would be, but that the Guard would work to support Border Patrol and other agents in the field.
"This experience and coordination will allow us to continue our current state directed border operations and supplement border security through this federal response," Norris said.
100 soldiers were already at the border under a state mission, she added.
Norris said that certain troops would be armed for self defense, depending on the mission.
The deployment was described as a federal response managed by the state.
The Guard said in a Friday news release that the troops will be dispatched next week to help free U.S. Border Patrol agents to work in the field. The troops will provide air, reconnaissance, operational and logistics support and construct border infrastructure.
David Jackson from USA TODAY and The Associated Press contributed to this report.