*Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2019 *

**Letter to Congressional Leaders on Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Southern Border of the United States **

*February 15, 2019 *

*Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) *

Pursuant to section 201 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1621), I hereby report that I have exercised my authority to declare a national emergency in order to address the border security and humanitarian crisis that is threatening the United States. This declaration invokes section 12302 of title 10, United States Code, to allow the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of each relevant military department, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to order units or members of the Ready Reserve to active duty in order to assist and support the activities of the Secretary of Homeland Security at the southern border.

Further, I have invoked section 2808 of title 10, United States Code, and authorized the Secretary of Defense, and at his discretion, the Secretaries of the military departments, to exercise the authority under that section to engage in emergency construction as necessary to support the use of the Armed Forces and respond to the crisis at our southern border.

I am enclosing a copy of the Proclamation I have issued.

Sincerely,

DONALD J. TRUMP

NOTE: Identical letters were sent to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Michael R. Pence, President of the Senate.

*Categories:* Communications to Congress : Southern U.S. border, national emergency declaration, letter*.*

*Subjects:* Defense and national security : Border security; Mexico : Border with U.S., infrastructure and security.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201900081.