The Pentagon is sending a crisis response force of roughly 160 troops to the southern border ahead of a Supreme Court decision that officials fear could prompt a new migration crisis.

The Trump administration today said it would send the service members to two points on the southwest border — San Ysidro, Calif., and El Paso, Texas — to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection by placing temporary barriers and providing protection for border officers.


The decision comes as the Supreme Court weighs a decision on an administration policy that forces asylum seekers to remain in Mexico as they wait to appear before a judge. The fear is that if the court blocks the restrictions, more commonly known as "Remain in Mexico," large crowds of migrants could seek entry into the United States.