WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House confirmed on Wednesday that the Pentagon will be deploying up to 1,500 active duty troops to assist in securing the southern border in the near future. This follows President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at tightening immigration policies shortly after taking office. Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses was expected to sign the deployment orders that same day, although it was not yet determined which troops would be involved, and the total number could vary. The deployment may see American troops taking on potential law enforcement roles, marking a significant shift in their duties for the first time in decades.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “This is something President Trump campaigned on. The American people have been eagerly awaiting the Department of Defense to take homeland security seriously. This is a top priority for the American people.” The active duty forces will supplement the approximately 2,500 U.S. National Guard and Reserve forces already stationed at the border, where no active duty troops are currently employed.
The troops are anticipated to assist Border Patrol agents with logistics, transportation, and construction of barriers, according to U.S. officials speaking on condition of anonymity due to pending details. Although troops are typically restricted from performing law enforcement duties under the Posse Comitatus Act, Trump has directed officials to consider invoking the Insurrection Act, a law from 1807, within 90 days if deemed necessary. This would potentially allow active duty troops to undertake law enforcement tasks on U.S. soil.
The expected deployment, an early move in Trump’s strategy to enhance military presence at the border, aligns with his directive to the defense secretary to develop a plan to strengthen border security and deter unlawful migration. Trump also announced a surge in cutter ships, aircraft, and personnel to the “Gulf of America,” in adherence to his order to rename the Gulf of Mexico. In his inaugural address, Trump pledged to declare a national emergency at the southern border, halt illegal entry, and initiate the repatriation of criminal aliens.
Military personnel have been intermittently deployed to the border since the 1990s to combat migration, drug trafficking, and transnational crime. Trump’s executive orders on Monday suggested that the military might assist the Department of Homeland Security with detention, transportation, and logistics services. With about 20,000 Border Patrol agents responsible for border security, including the northern border with Canada, these agents are typically tasked with various duties.
In recent years, the role of Border Patrol agents along the southern border of the United States has evolved. While traditionally tasked with combating drug smuggling and unauthorized border crossings, a new challenge has emerged: dealing with migrants actively seeking out Border Patrol for refuge in America. This shift in dynamics has put a strain on the agency’s resources and personnel.
During his first term in office, former President Donald Trump responded to a caravan of migrants slowly making its way through Mexico towards the U.S. by deploying over 7,000 active duty troops to key border states such as Texas, Arizona, and California. Among the troops were military police, an assault helicopter battalion, communications specialists, medical personnel, combat engineers, planners, and public affairs units. Despite initial assurances that the military would not engage in law enforcement activities, the troops found themselves supporting Border Patrol agents in various ways.
Their duties included transporting agents, assisting in the construction of additional barriers and fencing, improving communications infrastructure, and providing security for Border Patrol facilities. The military also offered medical care, meals, and temporary housing to support the agency’s operations.
As the immigration situation at the border remains fluid, questions linger about the potential use of military bases to house detained migrants. While such facilities have been utilized in the past for this purpose, challenges have arisen, particularly in handling large influxes of individuals. Following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021, military bases were repurposed to accommodate thousands of Afghan evacuees, straining their capacity.
In one instance, then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis directed Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas to prepare for hosting up to 20,000 unaccompanied migrant children in 2018. However, the surge did not materialize as expected, revealing infrastructure limitations at the base. More recently, under the Biden administration, Fort Bliss in Texas was approved as a site for a detention facility capable of housing up to 10,000 unaccompanied migrant children amidst a rise in border crossings from Mexico.
Operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Fort Bliss facility quickly became overwhelmed, lacking sufficient case managers to attend to the needs of the incoming children. Reports highlighted substandard living conditions, including exposure to extreme weather, dust, and unsanitary environments, prompting concerns about the welfare of the minors in custody.
This complex interplay between Border Patrol operations, military support, and detention facilities underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing migration flows along the U.S.-Mexico border. The evolving nature of immigration patterns necessitates a coordinated and adaptable response to ensure the safety and well-being of both migrants seeking refuge and the communities tasked with their care.
As the situation continues to develop, stakeholders must collaborate to address the underlying causes of migration, enhance border security measures, and uphold humanitarian standards in the treatment of individuals seeking asylum in the United States. Amidst shifting political landscapes and global crises, the plight of migrants at the border remains a critical issue that demands thoughtful consideration
