WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 08th December, 2018) US Secretary of State James Mattis must reverse his decision to extend the troop deployment of American troops at the southern border with Mexico, Senator Pat Murray and 11 other senators said in a letter to the secretary on Friday.
"We are writing to express deep concern over the extended deployment of active duty military to the US southern border, and strongly urge you to reconsider your approval to extend the order," the letter said. "Absent justification and substantial transparency, the extension of orders must be rescinded."
The lawmakers explain that the Trump administration has failed to provide evidence to prove that asylum-seekers pose a threat to US national security.
Moreover, the lawmakers request that the administration provide a clear "end-state" that can be met and will ensure service members return home. The senators also requested a detailed justification for the expansion of the rules on the use of force.
The letter was signed by Murray and senators Richard Blumenthal, Ron Wyden, Chris Van Hollen, Brian Schatz, Bernie Sanders, Jeff Merkley, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Sherrod Brown, Edward Markey and Robert Menendez, all of whom are Democrats.
Last Friday, Mattis approved the Department of Homeland Security's request to extend the deployment of troops currently stationed along the US-Mexico border through the end of January. The original request was set to expire on December 15.
The active duty military personnel were deployed to the US southwest border in October to assist the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon the arrival of migrant caravans from Central America.
