Thread by @unseen1_unseen

Notes from the DOD/DHS press conference today on the caravan.
Border Patrol opened the press conference. Will do DOD in another thread
1. Operation secure line is the codename for the Border patrol response
2. Enhanced security
3. tracking two caravans in Mexico 3.5k each

4. Already facing a border security and humanitarian crisis at the border.
5. each day on avg for last 3 weeks Border patrol have arrested 1900 people PER DAY
6. half are family units and unaccompanied minors being brought over by human traffickers at 7,000/person

7. crappy laws causing this
8. means at any given moment there are 10's of thousands of illegals in Mexico intending to cross the border.
9 in that flow there were 17,000 hardened criminals caught last year alone.
10. along with drug smugglers and people from over 100 countries

11. immigration system is unable to properly process and deport them due to backlogs in our courts and court restrictions on detaining people (catch and release)
12. what's new with the caravans is the formation of multiple large groups that present safety and security threats.

13. First caravan has already illegally crossed two national borders, the 2nd one has become violent at the mexico/Guatemala border.
14. Thus border patrol is preparing for a large group to try to cross the US border in the next couple weeks.

15. CBP will not allow a large group to enter the USA. They will be arrested. Asylum should be sought in Mexico. Economic migrants should return home.
16. Processed 38,000 claims for people claiming fear to return home last year.
17. No benefit for large group. go home/no entry

18. CBP (customs and border patrol ) thanks Mexico and Guatemala for efforts.
19. Operation secure line was launched yesterday. a multi-phase response designed to ensure CBP is prepared for any circumstance they will encounter with large groups.

20. CBP says border security is a law enforcement mission and border patrol is well equipped. Deployed 100 special officers +1000 border patrol officers on stand by including 250 tactical enforcement officers + mobile response teams + riot control at points of entry

21. CBP has between points of entry 830 BP agents on stand by ready to deploy. includes 140 special operations agents, 385 mobile response team members +350 additional agents from unaffected sectors. supported by 2 doz CBP air assets for surveillance and mobile response.

22. Including 4 blackhawks, 6 additional helicopters, multiple fixed wing assets and drones.
23. Due to large size of caravans the CBP and DHS have requested help from the Department of Defense.
24. This is in ADDITION to the 2000+ national guard already at border

25. National guard has been making an big impact says the border patrol.
26. CBP is requesting support in air and ground transportation and logistic support
27. engineering capabilities and equipment to secure the legal crossings and key areas of the border

28. medical support units, mobile housing for agents and extensive planning and support.
29. Border patrol commissioner turns conference over to DOD. Northern command
30. Says CBP will ensure border security. will not allow a large group to enter the US

31. maintain lawful trade and travel (border not being closed) will treat illegals humanly and professionally but safety of CBP personal will be top priority
32. I'll do a new thread on the details of the DOD response

link to press conference.
c-span.org/video/?453817-…