Before the end of January 2025, 1,500 active-duty U.S. troops are to be stationed at the southwest border of the country. They join 2,500 existing Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers already there. The existing force is assigned with detection and monitoring crossings, completing data entry, training, transporting, and maintaining the various aspects of southwest border management. The precise role of the active-duty troops is not clear. This action comes at a time when activity at the border is low.

In President Trump’s executive order, the military is given an explicit role in immigration enforcement. Further, the Department of Defense is tasked with developing a plan to seal the borders in order to repel invasion. An 1870s law, the Posse Comitatus Act, generally limits the use of federal troops for domestic purposes and is likely to be used to challenge the plan.

Other efforts are starting within the country to begin Mr. Trump’s mass deportation plan. How federal troops may be assigned to fulfill that executive action is yet unknown but likely. These are both results of Mr. Trump’s signed executive actions addressing immigration.

If you have questions about an U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Our clients work directly with attorneys to ensure they get the right advice for their specific situations. We continue to actively monitor ongoing updates under the new administration.

Southwest Border