In Washington, the Pentagon has initiated the deployment of up to 3,000 additional troops alongside armored vehicles to the southern border, as confirmed by Defense Department officials. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, acting under the direction of President Donald Trump, has instructed a Stryker Brigade Combat Team and an aviation battalion to partake in a border security mission. These troops are expected to arrive in the following weeks, as indicated by Defense Department officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
This recent deployment adds to the escalating U.S. military presence at the border. Back in January, President Trump deployed 1,500 active-duty troops to support approximately 2,500 National Guard and Reserve troops already stationed there. Furthermore, headquarters personnel from the 10th Mountain Division have been on-site at the border for roughly a week, aiding in the coordination of operations, according to one official.
The primary role of the soldiers will be to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in managing the influx of migrants at the border. Their duties will include establishing observation posts, conducting patrols, and promptly alerting ICE officials in the event of border breaches. It’s important to note that these troops do not possess the authority to make arrests. The official revealed that between 2,500 and 3,000 new troops are slated for deployment in this mission.
President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency along the border was aimed at addressing the persistent immigration challenges, a key focus of his presidential campaign. Notably, previous administrations have also dispatched active-duty troops to the border in similar circumstances.
The Pentagon has recently taken further measures to bolster the military presence at the border. Towards the end of February, the Army began strategizing for the potential housing of up to 30,000 migrant detainees at bases within the United States. Fort Bliss in Texas and Fort Huachuca in Arizona have been identified as probable locations for these detention facilities. In preparation for this, officials have been conducting inventories of tents and razor wire.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Pentagon deploys troops, armored vehicles to southern border.
