The American National Guard is increasing troop deployments to assist border law enforcement operations.

The United States is deploying National Guard troops to the southern border to assist in carrying out President Trump’s directive, which calls for military assistance to ensure immigration law enforcement security along the U.S.-Mexico border.

In a statement issued by the U.S. National Guard on Thursday, Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses instructed the National Guard to immediately provide support for the President’s executive order to protect the territorial integrity of the United States.

The statement reads, “Currently, the National Guard is intensifying its support and closely coordinating with the U.S. Northern Command and the U.S. Transportation Command on emergency needs to increase additional personnel, military airlift, construction of barriers, and other military forces to meet the directives of the President and the Defense Secretary.”

“Our actions will be closely coordinated with our partners in the U.S. Northern Command, other defense agencies, and partner organizations to remain consistent,” the statement continued.

Citing National Guard Bureau Director Steven Nordhaus, the statement mentioned that “over 1600 National Guard members are currently supporting federal border security missions,” adding that over 4100 members of the Texas National Guard are still deployed in border areas to support the state’s “Operation Lone Star” aimed at ensuring border security.

Earlier this week, Salesses ordered the deployment of 1500 active-duty troops to the southern border, with this special task force expected to be fully deployed soon. The force consists of 1000 army soldiers and 500 marines.

The Pentagon stated that this deployment is just an initial response and expects additional forces to be deployed, possibly up to ten thousand soldiers, but this number has not been finalized yet.

Soon after taking office this week, President Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border and signed an executive order instructing the U.S. Northern Command to develop a detailed border enforcement plan.