Obama has pledged $600 million in funding for more border guards and surveilance equipment [AFP]

Barack Obama, the US president, has ordered more than a 1,000 members of the US National Guard to the country’s southern border with Mexico.

Officials said on Monday that the troops will deploy on August 1 to help control the flow of illegal immigrants, drugs smuggling and human trafficking from across the Mexican border.

The soldiers “will provide direct support to federal law enforcement officers and agents working in high-risk areas to disrupt criminal organisations seeking to move people and goods illegally across the southwest border,” Janet Napolitano, the US Homeland Security secretary, said.

Around 300 customs and border protection agents were being deployed to the 3,200km border, alongside the 1,200 guardsmen, as well as new helicopters and other surveillance equipment.

“The border is more resourced and more secure than it’s ever been but the work continues and the challenge remains,” Alan Bersin, commissioner of the Customs and Border Protection agency, said.

Obama has pledged $600 million in extra funds to support the mission.

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