By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
The TSA is preparing to deploy up to 400 of its personnel to the U.S.-Mexico border to assist with the escalation of Central American migrants trying to enter the U.S.
The largest union representing the TSA, the American Federation of Government Employees TSA Council, questioned the move, saying it may “undermine aviation security” at airports during one of the busiest time of the year for air travel.
“The timing of this deployment could not be worse, as we are preparing for yet another busy summer travel season,” Hydrick Thomas, president of the union, said in a statement.
The deployment is part of a Homeland Security effort to send more personnel to the border as immigration surges.
It’s not yet clear what the TSA employees will do at the border, but they won’t have direct contact with immigrants, according to NBC News.
A TSA officials told NBC News that it would not deploy any of its frontline personnel who deal with travelers at airports.
The TSA has identified some personnel, which includes lawyers, air marshals and immigration specialists.
In March an April, more than 100,000 undocumented immigrants crossed the border into the U.S.
