(Military Troops in California)….A press conference was held this week.

US Army Lt. General Jeff Buchanan said there were 1,500 troops sent to California to help prepare the Border Patrol for the arrival of a caravan of Central American residents, mostly from Honduras and Guatemala, who are walking across Mexico to the US Border. They say they will be seeking asylum in the United States. The military was sent to the border to help ensure those in the caravan apply legally, and do not cross the border illegally. Buchanan said the troops will not be arresting anyone. Their primary assignment is logistics and intelligence support. He did say, however, that some of the troops will be armed and they will respond to violence. He said almost 3,000 troops were being sent to Texas and another 1,500 to Arizona. He did not say how many would be in Imperial County and how many would be in San Diego. Previous news reports indicated 1,000 troops from Camp Pendleton had been assigned to the San Diego Border. Officials have said the caravan may not arrive at the International border until sometime in December. At last report, the caravan had left Mexico City and was near Guanajuato.