The Pentagon will begin deploying as many as 1,500 active duty troops to help secure the southern border in the coming days, U.S. officials said Wednesday, putting in motion plans President Donald Trump laid out in executive orders shortly after he took office to crack down on immigration.

The deployment signals the military’s increased role in a much more aggressive immigration policy under the second Trump administration.

The Pentagon is expected on Wednesday to begin the process of sending about 1,500 active military troops to the southern U.S. border to help help secure the U.S.-Mexico border. The process will start with acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses signing the orders, according to The Associated Press.

The Pentagon is sending up to 1,500 troops to help secure the southern border as President Trump pushes to stem the tide of migrants entering the country. Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses is expected to sign a release order on Wednesday,

Troops have assisted at the border before and will be limited to support roles unless the administration invokes the Insurrection Act.

The Pentagon will deploy up to 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S. border with Mexico, following executive orders from President Donald Trump to use the military to seal the border.

Acting Defence Secretary Robert Salesses said the Pentagon will provide military aircraft to support Department of Homeland Security deportation flights for more than 5,000 detained migrants and the troops will assist in the construction of barriers.

Following executive orders from President Donald Trump related to border security, a large number of troops will deploy to the border.

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon will begin deploying as many as 1,500 active duty troops to help secure the southern border in the coming days, the White House confirmed on Wednesday, putting in motion plans President Trump laid out in executive orders shortly after he took office to crack down on immigration.

The president has directed the U.S. military to reinforce the border, and the acting secretary of defense on Wednesday announced the Pentagon is sending around 1,500 active duty troops to the country’s southern border, joining 2,500 active duty personnel already there.

Acting Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses said the deployment of additional active duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border “is just the beginning” — even as border crossings remain at their lowest point in months.