Trump to send military to Mexico border

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump's strategy for the border with Mexico includes mobilizing the National Guard, the White House said on Tuesday, after Trump had earlier spoken publicly to reporters about "guarding our border with the military" to stop illegal immigrants until his "big, beautiful wall" is erected.

The White House statement was released after Trump met with Defense Secretary James Mattis, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and other officials on border issues. It gave no details on whether or when Trump's strategy might be implemented.

The National Guard, part of the US military's reserve forces, has been used in recent years for surveillance and intelligence on the border, but not direct law enforcement.