In a startling revelation, the Pentagon has mandated the dispatch of up to 3,000 additional troops along with armored vehicles to the southern border, as per Defense Department sources. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, acting on the orders of President Donald Trump, has directed a Stryker Brigade Combat Team and an aviation battalion to undertake a border security mission. Expected to reach the designated area in the ensuing weeks, the troops’ deployment is part of an escalating U.S. military presence on the border.
Earlier in January, Trump had commanded 1,500 active-duty troops to reinforce approximately 2,500 National Guard and Reserve troops already stationed there. In support of these efforts, Headquarters personnel from the 10th Mountain Division have been present at the border for about a week to assist in coordinating operations, as disclosed by an insider.
The soldiers are slated to provide support to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in directly handling migrants at the border. Tasks assigned to them include setting up observation posts, conducting patrols, and promptly informing ICE authorities of any border breaches observed. It is important to note that the soldiers do not possess the authority to make arrests. The deployment is anticipated to introduce between 2,500 and 3,000 fresh troops, according to the source.
President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the border underscores the focus on addressing immigration challenges that have been central to his presidential campaign. It is worth mentioning that previous administrations have also deployed active-duty troops to the border.
Notably, recent measures taken by the Pentagon indicate a heightened military presence at the border. Towards the end of February, the Army initiated plans to potentially accommodate as many as 30,000 migrant detainees at U.S. bases. Fort Bliss in Texas and Fort Huachuca in Arizona have emerged as probable locations for these detention facilities. Preparatory actions have included assessing the availability of tents and razor wire for this purpose.
This detailed account was originally featured in USA TODAY, shedding light on the Pentagon’s strategic move to deploy troops and armored vehicles to the southern border.
