US Military to Send 1,000+ Troops to Southern Border

Clear Facts

• The U.S. military is set to deploy over a thousand additional active duty troops to the southern border to support CBP and Border Patrol operations.
• This move follows President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the southern border.
• The troops will provide support in intelligence and operational readiness but are not authorized to perform law enforcement duties.

In a significant move to bolster border security, the U.S. military is preparing to send more than a thousand active duty troops to the southern border. This deployment aims to enhance the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Border Patrol.

The announcement comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s recent executive order declaring a national emergency at the southern border. This decision underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing what it perceives as a pressing security issue.

“The Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of each relevant military department, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, shall order as many units or members of the Armed Forces…to support the activities of the Secretary of Homeland Security in obtaining complete operational control of the southern border of the United States,” the executive order states.

Currently, there are 2,200 military personnel stationed at the border. The new deployment will join these forces to improve operational readiness and gather intelligence on potential threats and migrant movements. However, the troops will not have the authority to engage in law enforcement activities such as drug seizures or arrests.

Acting Department of Defense Secretary Robert Salesses is anticipated to provide further details on this deployment. A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that a statement would be released soon.

The scope of the deployment varies, with reports suggesting the number could be “up to 1,500.” These service members are part of Joint Task Force-North’s operations in El Paso, Texas, and are supported by approximately 4,500 Texas National Guardsmen involved in Operation Lone Star, which targets drug and human trafficking.

In his executive order, President Trump emphasized the gravity of the situation at the border, stating, “Our southern border is overrun by cartels, criminal gangs, known terrorists, human traffickers, smugglers, unvetted military-age males from foreign adversaries, and illicit narcotics that harm Americans, including America.”

This deployment is expected to be the first in a series of troop movements to the region, as the administration continues to prioritize border security. However, it remains uncertain whether these troops will be armed during their deployment.

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