The Department of Homeland Security has reportedly requested an additional deployment of U.S. troops to the border with Mexico to install concertina wire atop existing border fencing, adding months to the military's deployment.

NBC News reports that three U.S. officials confirmed DHS's request to Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan Patrick Michael ShanahanHouse Armed Services chairman expresses confidence in Esper amid aircraft carrier coronavirus crisis Boeing pleads for bailout under weight of coronavirus, 737 fallout Esper's chief of staff to depart at end of January MORE, while two of the officials added that at the current rate of construction it would likely mean U.S. troops deployed along the U.S. border until September.

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DHS officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill on NBC's report. The existing deployment of U.S. troops to the border is scheduled to end on Jan. 31.

The expanded mission would involve the installation of 160 miles of concertina wire atop existing border fences, NBC reports, similar to concertina wire installed at U.S. ports of entry in Texas, Arizona and California.

President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE has battled Congress for weeks over funding for border security measures at DHS, including for his planned wall along unprotected areas of the U.S-Mexico border which Democrats in Congress have vowed to oppose.

The resulting dispute over funding led to the ongoing partial government shutdown that began in December, which on Thursday stretched into its 13th day.