The Pentagon announced on Wednesday that it is initiating the deployment of 1,500 active-duty troops to assist in securing the southern border, as part of a broader strategy initially proposed in executive orders by President Donald Trump shortly after taking office. These troop movements are set to begin within the next few days.
Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses indicated that this deployment will involve soldiers operating helicopters in support of Border Patrol agents, providing military airlift for deportation flights organized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding over 5,000 detained migrants, and contributing to the construction of barriers along the border.
According to Salesses, this initial deployment could evolve, and he emphasized, “This is just the beginning.” The specifics of the troops’ mission and whether they will engage in law enforcement duties remains unclear, a potential development that could shift the traditional role of American troops for the first time in decades.
These active-duty personnel will complement the approximately 2,500 National Guard and Reserve members already stationed at the border, marking the first time that active-duty troops are being sent to this area. Early movements of these troops began on Wednesday, with a military official revealing that 500 Marines from Camp Pendleton, California, are among those deployed, alongside other Army personnel.
The military has previously assisted Border Patrol agents under both Trump and former President Joe Biden, providing vital support without engaging in direct law enforcement, which is prohibited under the Posse Comitatus Act. However, the current administration may reconsider this restriction. President Trump has instructed future defense and homeland security leaders to evaluate the possibility of invoking the 1807 Insurrection Act, which could enable military involvement in civilian law enforcement
The last instance where the Insurrection Act was enacted was during the 1992 Los Angeles riots following the acquittal of police officers charged in the beating of Rodney King.
The anticipated deployment aligns with Trump’s outspoken commitment to enhancing border security during his campaign. In one of his initial actions as President, he charged the defense secretary with developing a strategy to “seal the borders” against what he described as “unlawful mass migration.”
Following a significant reshuffle on Tuesday that included the dismissal of Coast Guard commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, the service also announced an increase in cutter ships, aircraft, and personnel in the Gulf of Mexico, responding to Trump’s directive to rename the region.
In his inaugural speech, Trump stated, “I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions of criminal aliens back to the places in which they came.” The military has played a continuous role at the border since the 1990s, tackling issues related to migration, drug trafficking, and other transnational crimes.
Trump’s executive orders on Monday suggested that military forces would aid DHS with logistics concerning detention facilities, transportation, and other relevant services in managing migrant issues.
With approximately 20,000 Border Patrol agents primarily stationed along the southern border, their responsibilities also extend to guarding the northern border with Canada. Traditionally, their duties have focused on intercepting drug traffickers and undocumented immigrants. However, they increasingly face migrants who seek to make contact with them for asylum, stretching the agency’s resources.
During his first term, Trump deployed troops in response to a caravan of migrants traversing through Mexico toward the U.S. in 2018, sending over 7,000 active-duty members to states like Texas, Arizona, and California. These troops primarily assisted Border Patrol by facilitating transportation, erecting barriers, aiding with communication, and offering logistical support such as medical care, meals, and temporary housing.
The prospect of housing detained migrants on military bases remains uncertain. Historically, bases have been utilized for this purpose, such as after the abrupt withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan in 2021. Facilities were then utilized to accommodate thousands of Afghan evacuees, but they struggled to manage the high demand.
In 2018, plans were made to prepare Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas for up to 20,000 unaccompanied minor migrants, but the need for such a facility diminished, and the base was deemed inadequate to handle the sudden influx.
In March 2021, the Biden administration authorized the use of Fort Bliss, Texas, as a temporary detention site for unaccompanied children amid a surge in border crossings. This facility, run by DHS, quickly faced challenges including overcrowding and overwhelming staff shortages, as reported by various oversight entities.
