The U.S. military will support deportation flights, intelligence collection and help construct barriers when 1,500 active-duty troops deploy to the southern border and begin work in the next two days.

In a statement, Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses said the deployment mission began on Wednesday and involves military airlift support for the Department of Homeland Security to help deport more than 5,000 undocumented immigrants detained in San Diego, California and El Paso.

U.S. troops will also assist in constructing both temporary and permanent physical barriers at the border, according to the statement.

"This is just the beginning," Salesses said. "In short order, the Department will develop and execute additional missions in cooperation with DHS, federal agencies, and state partners to address the full range of threats outlined by the president at........

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