DALLAS – Two days after President Donald Trump was sworn in, the Pentagon announced the deployment of 1,500 active-duty military troops to the southern border. The deployment follows Trump’s executive orders signed on his first day in office, which declared a national emergency at the border and instructed the Department of Defense to prepare a comprehensive plan to “seal the borders” and “repel forms of invasion.”
Details of the Deployment
The deployed personnel will include 1,000 Army soldiers, 500 Marines, and support crews operating helicopters and intelligence systems to aid detection and monitoring efforts. Aircraft will also be used to transport an estimated 5,000 detained migrants from facilities in San Diego, California, and El Paso, Texas, out of the country.
Acting Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses explained that troops would be involved in constructing both temporary and permanent physical barriers to deter illegal crossings and trafficking activities.
U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), typically responsible for air and missile defense, has been tasked with overseeing the operation. This marks an unprecedented role for the military in border security, raising questions among defense and legal experts.
“This language goes beyond assisting law enforcement,” said Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Program. “It hints at military campaigns at the border, something NORTHCOM has never been designed to handle.”
Ongoing Border Missions
This deployment adds to the 2,500 National Guard and reserve personnel already stationed at the border, a holdover from the previous administration. Joint Task Force North, based in El Paso, and Texas’ Operation Lone Star, led by the Texas National Guard, already provide support to Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
However, this will be the first time in recent years that active-duty troops are sent to assist with border operations.
At its peak, Operation Lone Star involved 10,000 National Guard troops, but staffing challenges have reduced that number to a few thousand. The newly deployed active-duty forces will supplement these efforts under Title 10 federal orders.
Key Details:
- The exact border sectors where troops will be stationed and their specific roles remain unclear.
- Historically, Department of Defense policy has restricted active-duty service members from direct law enforcement duties at the border.
- Decisions on the troops’ responsibilities may involve newly appointed Border Czar Mike Banks, who now leads the U.S. Border Patrol.
Texas Border Crossings Down
Illegal border crossings have decreased significantly in Texas, according to Lt. Chris Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
“The last couple of weeks, we’ve seen a decrease in illegal border crossings between ports of entry,” Olivarez reported, noting an 87% decline compared to the same period last year. He attributed the drop to enhanced enforcement and coordination efforts.
Olivarez expressed optimism about the additional manpower. “What they do provide is value. They’re able to operate cameras and sensors, providing additional eyes on the ground,” he said. “The more boots on the ground, the better. It helps us focus on criminal threats.”
Concerns About Mass Deportations
The Trump administration has also expanded federal agents’ authority to arrest migrants in locations such as schools and churches, raising concerns about potential mass deportations.
Tom Homan, the president’s Border Czar, emphasized that the administration’s priority is targeting individuals with serious criminal records.
“In the last 24 hours, ICE arrested 308 serious criminals,” Homan said during an interview on FOX and Friends. “Some were murderers, rapists, or charged with sexual assault of a child. ICE is doing their job and prioritizing threats to public safety and national security.”
Homan added, “We are concentrating on the worst first. The goal is public safety and protecting the nation.”
What’s Next
As troops mobilize and Pentagon officials refine their plans, the deployment signals a shift toward a more militarized approach to border security. As plans unfold, the focus will remain on the impact of increased military presence and its role in addressing illegal immigration.
