Concertina wire is attached along the fence at the southern border with Mexico, in Douglas, Ariz. Defense Department civilians are volunteering by the hundreds for temporary details with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to protect the border. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images)
A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital the initiative reflects Trump’s "whole-of-government approach" to removing national security threats, including gang members and terrorists.
"ICE, CBP, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense are embracing President Trump’s whole-of-government approach to protecting the American people," a DoD spokesperson said to Fox News Digital.
"DOD civilians — who have already undergone rigorous vetting and demonstrated their commitment to serving this nation — are invited to volunteer for temporary ICE assignments to help make America safe again and remove national security threats—including gang members and terrorists from our country."
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The program follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s June directive that also opened DHS placements for retiring service members through the SkillBridge program. (Omar Havana/Getty Images)
"This mission is truly critical, not just for DHS, not just for DOD, but for the entire country," Cogar said in a DoD memo released Friday.
"Any individual, any one person, can have a force-multiplying effect for those DHS agents, allowing them to focus on what they do best, while we can provide that technical support that they need to be on target, on mission and out there every day focused on the safety of our nation."
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The program follows Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s June directive that also opened DHS placements for retiring service members through the SkillBridge program. The DoD SkillBridge program allows retiring service members to obtain ‘real-world training and work experience in in-demand fields of work.'
Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.
Jasmine Baehr is a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital, where she covers politics, the military, faith and culture.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hundreds-dod-civilians-accept-call-duty-southern-border-mission-under-trumps-order