US may give troops authority to protect border personnel

United State President Donald Trump might grant new authority to US troops deployed on the Southwest border with Mexico to protect Customs and Border Protection personnel from migrants if they engage in violence, CNN quoted two defense officials and another US official directly familiar with the plans.

According to CNN, an additional administration official informed that the authority will also grant protection of federal property.

According to CNN, around 5,800 to 5,900 troops have been assigned for the border mission. However, at the moment the troops do not have the authority to intervene if CBP personnel came under attack. The officials informed that the move could be declared as soon as Monday evening.

This comes after the Department of Homeland Security officials started to get information about groups of individuals planning to enter into legal ports of entry in California by attempting to pass through vehicle lanes, CNN reported.