TSA sending hundreds of ‘Security Ops’ employees to southern border: report

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) plans to send hundreds of “Security Ops” personnel to the U.S.-Mexico border to help deal with an influx of migrants, CNN reported Wednesday.

An internal email obtained by the network shows plans for TSA workers, reportedly including air marshals, to temporarily assist with immigration duties.

As many as 175 law enforcement officials and “400 people from Security Ops” will be deployed, CNN reported, citing two sources and the internal email.{mosads}

The efforts will not initially include uniformed airport TSA screeners, but the email reportedly states that parts of TSA will be asked to contribute “around 10 percent” of its workforce.

The security agency acknowledged in the email that the move stems from an “immediate need” and noted that it is was accepting “some risk” by depleting aviation security resources, CNN reported.

“There is now immediate need for more help from TSA at the SW border,” a senior TSA official, Gary Renfrow, wrote in the email to agency regional management, according to CNN. “TSA has committed to support with 400 people from Security Ops” who will be deployed in waves “similar to support for past hurricanes.”

“We also understand that we are accepting some risk as we enter a very busy summer,” Renfrow wrote, according to the email obtained by the outlet.

The initial wave of law enforcement teams will be drawn from six cities, CNN reported. 

The Hill has reached out to TSA for comment.