DHS requests US troops build tents to house up to 7,500 migrant adults: Pentagon

By ELIZABETH MCLAUGHLIN May 15, 2019, 4:08 PM ET

The Department of Homeland Security has requested that U.S. troops build "temporary facilities" at six locations to house up to 7,500 detained migrant adults, according to the Department of Defense, further expanding the military's role on the southern border.

The Department of Defense would "loan and erect" the tents in support of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Chris Mitchell.

"DOD will not provide detention or custodial support for detained aliens at these ICE detention facilities," he said. "ICE is responsible for detention or custodial support."

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is expected to review the new request -- which was submitted by DHS late last week -- "very soon," Mitchell added.

The request comes after the Pentagon shifted an additional $1.5 billion to a counter-drug account that will be used to construct about 80 miles of border wall. Just over $600 million of that money came from accounts that originally supported Afghan Security Forces. Meanwhile, the Pentagon maintains the reprogramming of funds -- which now totals $2.5 billion -- will not affect military readiness.

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