AUSTIN -- During a press briefing about 6:40 p.m. Friday, the Texas National Guard stated 250 soldiers would be sent to the Texas-Mexico border within 72 hours. 

That's in addition to the 100 members of the National Guard already at the border. 

Brigadier Gen. Tracy Norris, speaking at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Austin, said the 250 soldiers would be deployed along with vehicles, aircraft and equipment. Some of the soldiers will be armed for self-defense. 

Norris said that additional soldiers will be notified and mobilized in the coming weeks. 

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he wanted to send as many as 4,000 National Guard members to the border in order to prevent illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

The National Guard members will support Homeland Security and other federal agencies at the border.