Gov. Greg Abbott directed soldiers to the Rio Grande Valley on Monday to support U.S. Border Patrol personnel as part of his efforts to assist the Trump administration's border policies. The soldiers departed from Fort Worth and Houston on Monday.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is sending hundreds of soldiers in the Texas Military Department to work with the U.S. Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley.

The Texas governor said the additional troops will work alongside federal border agents as part of Trump's efforts to seize the offensive.