US military to keep immigrants in 2 Texas bases: report

In a show of support to the Donald Trump administration's immigration policies, the US military is preparing to house immigrants at Fort Bliss and Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas, Reuters reported on Monday, June 25, citing officials as saying.

On Sunday, June 24, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis informed the US military was preparing to set up two temporary camps at two different bases to house immigrants but he did not divulge details.

Mattis also said that the military was not involved in the political part of the issue and was only providing logistical support.

The Reuters report cited one US official as saying on the condition of anonymity that one of the bases was expected to house the immigrant families and another the immigrant children. The Trump administration came under a heavy criticism for separating children of the illegal immigrants who were legally dealt with at the southern border with Mexico.

The official also said a formal announcement on the matter was expected soon, the report added.

According to a CNN report, the US Department of Homeland Security will ask Pentagon this week to approve plans to provide shelter to over 7,000 isolated children at the Goodfellow airbase and 4,000 additional migrant family members at Fort Bliss, as per an administrative official, the Reuters report cited another official as saying. The official, however, conceded that these are just planning numbers and it is not confirmed that as many people would be required to be housed.

Pentagon will hire contractors for building the temporary shelters once Mattis approves the proposal, Reuters cited CNN as reporting.

The Trump administration was forced to backtrack on its policy of separating the children from their parents in the face of a massive backlash both at home and abroad and the president signed a new executive order last week to reverse the decision which was deemed draconian by many.