White House gives Mattis expanded powers for U.S. troops on border

Reuters reported on Monday that the White House was likely to give troops authority to protect Customs and Border Protection agents stationed along the U.S. border with Mexico if they come under threat from migrants seeking to cross into the United States. Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Mattis confirmed that he had been given the additional authority, but would await a request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before deciding how to use it. Mattis said, depending on the DHS request, that troops may be given powers to temporarily detain migrants, but not the authority to arrest them.

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