Extra troops sent to Texas border as flood of migrants expected

 To prepare for a possible surge in illegal immigration when COVID-19 restrictions, known as Title 42, end this week, the Biden administration and Texas state government will deploy forces to the US-Mexico border.

 To prepare for a possible surge in illegal immigration when COVID-19 restrictions, known as Title 42, end this week, the Biden administration and Texas state government will deploy forces to the US-Mexico border.

Title 42, which has been in place since 2020, gives US authorities the power to quickly expel migrants to Mexico without giving them the opportunity to apply for asylum.

To assist with border management, hundreds of specialist investigative agents and air marshals from the US Department of Homeland Security will be re-deployed from their day-to-day duties, said officials.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that to target "hot spots" where migrants try to illegally enter the US, the state will deploy a specially trained National Guard unit.

Meanwhile,  this week that many migrants were waiting at the US border near San Diego, California, and US Customs and Border Protection have struggled to process them.

"We do not know who is encouraging them. That is the million-dollar question. We think it might be the traffickers," said Enrique Lucero, director of migrant affairs for the city of Tijuana in Mexico.

Republican Abbott, who has criticized Biden's approach to border security, said members of the new National Guard unit, the Texas Tactical Border Force, will be deployed and have access to aircraft, boats, night vision equipment and riot gear.

Separately, Biden is sending 1,500 additional troops to help secure the border.

In addition, 250 to 300 agents with the investigative arm of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be sent to aid border operations.