The Pentagon will begin deploying as many as 1,500 active duty troops to help secure the southern border in the coming days, the White House confirmed on Wednesday, putting in motion plans President Donald Trump laid out in executive orders shortly after he took office to crack down on immigration.

Troops have assisted at the border before and will be limited to support roles unless the administration invokes the Insurrection Act.

President Trump has called migrants, drug-traffickers and smugglers an invasion requiring a military response.

The Pentagon will deploy up to 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S. border with Mexico, following executive orders from President Donald Trump to use the military to seal the border.