The Pentagon said Wednesday it has begun deploying 1,500 active duty troops to help secure the southern border, putting in motion plans President Donald Trump laid out in executive orders shortly after he took office to crack down on immigration.

Thousands of migrants are now in limbo at the U.S.-Mexico border after President Trump shut down the main legal channel for asylum seekers to enter the country. Many had waited months for immigration appointments,

U.S. border agents have been instructed to summarily deport migrants crossing into the country illegally without allowing them to request legal protection.