Border patrol agents are being sent to the southern boarder

Hundreds of Border Patrol agents from the northern border and coastal areas are being reassigned to assist with a surge at the southern border.

Agents from the Houlton sector are among more than 300 border agents who are being temporarily redeployed, according to the Customs and Border Protection.

“CBP seeks to deter and disrupt human smuggling activities by transnational criminal organizations and ensure our personnel are properly equipped to maintain border security,” said spokesperson Mike Niezgoda.

The redeployment coincides with an increase in the number of families and unaccompanied children trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, officials said.