WESLACO – The government says they will be sending several thousand more troops to the border.

The Acting Defense Secretary announced the troops will be assigned to lay down sections of concertina wire.

The government explains the coiled wire will be put in areas where there are gaps in between ports of entry.

Troops are not authorized to act as law enforcement and if they see people crossing the border illegally, they are instructed to alert Customs and Border Protection agents.

The Pentagon says 4,000 troops will be on the U.S.-Mexico border in the coming months.

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