Representative Joaquin Castro, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, told CBS News that the task is a “gross misuse” of the military. “These are soldiers, they are not painters,” he said.

Conditions at the US/Mexico border have been under serious strain for several years, as an influx of Central American migrants leaving the political, social, and economic instability of their home countries leads to an unprecedented level of unauthorized migration at the southern border, including large numbers unaccompanied minors. Politicians from both US political parties have recognized situation as a humanitarian crisis.

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