Washington, 23 January 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Hundreds more soldiers are to be deployed to the US border with Mexico by the end of the month to strengthen protections in the area, according to US media reports.

Soldiers are already deployed in the south to support border guards, for logistical tasks, but US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency on the southern border when he took office on Monday.

That gave the Department of Defence the authority to send additional troops in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.

In Trump's view, "America’s sovereignty is under attack," according to a US executive order.

It said the border is "overrun by cartels, criminal gangs, known terrorists, human traffickers, smugglers, unvetted military-age males from foreign adversaries, and illicit narcotics that harm Americans."

Trump has repeatedly equated migrants, many of whom cross the border illegally, with criminals.

Many are already feeling the effects of Trump's first decisions that seek to curb immigration.

MIA file photo