川普总统要求军方协助安置被羁押非法移民

The United States military is prepared to provide housing for men, women and children detained for trying to enter the country illegally along the country's southwestern border.

The executive order signed by President Donald Trump Wednesday calls for the U.S. secretary of defense to "take all legally available measures" to provide housing for the immigrants either at existing facilities, and to construct new facilities if needed.

"We support DHS [Department of Homeland Security]," Mattis told reporters earlier in the day, prior to a meeting at the Pentagon with the German defense minister. "This is their lead," he added "We'll respond if requested."

Already, four military installation, three in Texas and one in Arkansas -- are being considered as possible locations to house children detained at the border.

Pentagon officials say that if the sites are used, the military would not be responsible for providing security or other services.

Mattis noted this would not be the first time the military has been asked to help house civilians.