Trump weighs authorizing U.S. troops to medically screen migrants
Source: Reuters
POLITICS NOVEMBER 20, 2018 / 4:45 PM / UPDATED 8 MINUTES AGO
Exclusive: Trump weighs authorizing U.S. troops to medically screen migrants
Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart
3 MIN READ
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trumps administration is considering giving U.S. troops on the border with Mexico the authority to carry out medical screening of migrants, U.S. officials told Reuters on Tuesday.
The proposal, which is still in draft form and circulating within the administration, would involve the military in screenings for things like illness and injury only if U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency personnel were overwhelmed and unable to do so on their own, the officials said.
The proposal would expand the mission for the Pentagon, which said previously it did not expect its forces to directly interact with migrants.
The Pentagon declined to comment on internal deliberations. In a statement, it said the operation would cost about $72 million through Dec. 15, based on current plans.
-snip-
Read more:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-border-military-exclu/exclusive-trump-weighs-authorizing-u-s-troops-to-medically-screen-migrants-idUSKCN1NP2IW