Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered three thousand active-duty soldiers to the southern border of the United States. Military vehicles, including multiple twenty-ton armored Stryker combat vehicles, were also included in the order. The move marks the latest step in U.S. efforts to increase the military presence at the border.
The troops and combat vehicles are part of a larger political mission by the Trump administration to curtail undocumented immigrants from crossing the southern border. Several thousand U.S. troops are already stationed at the border, along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. This latest addition of troops, along with the vehicles, will be deployed in Arizona.
During Trump’s first term, up to eight thousand troops were deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border at one time, but their mission mainly limited them to logistical support. The President has long shown interest in the use of military personnel both along the border and domestically. The spike in border crossings during the Biden administration provided the President with the reason to do so, even though the current number of troops at the border is still lower than during his first term.
Many have criticized the move as a quick fix to a complex set of issues. Critics argued the Trump administration should provide more substantial solutions to rather than sending troops to the southern border. Critics also argue that CBP officials should be given the resources to police and manage the border rather than having soldiers take over their obligations.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical.
