Trump Administration Deploys Additional Troops and Armored Vehicles to Southern Border
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has ordered the deployment of up to 3,000 additional troops, along with armored vehicles, to the U.S.-Mexico border, according to Defense Department officials.
At the direction of President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the mobilization of a Stryker Brigade Combat Team and an aviation battalion for a border security mission. The units are expected to arrive in the coming weeks, officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to discuss the deployment publicly.
This latest deployment adds to an already significant U.S. military presence along the border. In January, Trump ordered 1,500 active-duty troops to join approximately 2,500 National Guard and Reserve personnel already stationed in the region. Additionally, headquarters staff from the 10th Mountain Division have been on the ground for about a week to help coordinate operations, according to one official.
The newly deployed soldiers will provide support to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, who will handle direct interactions with migrants. Their duties will include setting up observation posts, conducting patrols, and alerting ICE to any breaches in the border. However, the troops will not have the authority to make arrests. Officials estimate that between 2,500 and 3,000 additional troops will be sent as part of this deployment.
President Trump has repeatedly emphasized border security as a cornerstone of his administration, declaring a national emergency earlier this year to address what he describes as an immigration crisis. The issue was a central theme of his 2016 presidential campaign and remains a key focus of his policy agenda. While previous administrations have also deployed active-duty troops to the border, the scale of recent deployments under Trump has drawn significant attention.
In addition to troop deployments, the Pentagon has taken further steps to bolster its presence at the border. In late February, the Army began preparations to house up to 30,000 migrant detainees at military bases within the United States. Fort Bliss in Texas and Fort Huachuca in Arizona have been identified as potential sites for detention facilities. Officials are reportedly inventorying tents, razor wire, and other supplies in anticipation of this effort.
The move underscores the administration’s ongoing efforts to address what it views as a critical security and humanitarian challenge at the southern border.
