Updated Story: Pentagon Sends 1,500 More Troops to Border \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Pentagon has ordered an additional 1,500 active-duty soldiers to the U.S.-Mexico border, bringing the total to approximately 3,600 troops. These forces will assist in logistical support, intelligence gathering, and constructing barriers. Meanwhile, President Trump has made several key policy moves, including firing the U.S. archivist, revoking Joe Biden’s security clearance, and establishing a new White House Faith Office.
Southern Border Military Deployment – Quick Looks
- Troop Increase: The Pentagon is sending an additional 1,500 active-duty troops, totaling 3,600 at the border.
- Mission Scope: Troops will assist in intelligence, transportation, and setting up concertina wire barriers.
- Logistics Brigade Involvement: The 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, will be deployed.
- Trump’s Orders: The deployment follows President Trump’s executive orders on immigration enforcement.
- Guantanamo Preparations: Some Marines are being sent to Guantanamo Bay to prepare for potential migrant detentions.
Deep Look
Pentagon Confirms Expanded Military Role at the Border
The Pentagon has authorized the deployment of approximately 1,500 additional active-duty soldiers to the U.S.-Mexico border in response to President Trump’s directive to strengthen immigration enforcement. This increase brings the total number of active-duty personnel stationed along the border to 3,600, as the administration intensifies its crackdown on illegal immigration.
A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the decision on Friday, stating that the new troops will primarily support Border Patrol operations by assisting with transportation, intelligence gathering, and the installation of concertina wire and other security barriers.
The newly deployed troops will come from the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, which specializes in logistics and support operations. This move underscores the administration’s emphasis on using military resources to supplement border security efforts.
Military’s Role in Immigration Enforcement
The expansion of military involvement at the border aligns with Trump’s broader immigration agenda. Since reassuming office, the president has pushed for a series of executive orders aimed at curbing illegal immigration and fortifying border security.
Key elements of the military’s mission include:
- Installing Physical Barriers: Troops will assist in setting up concertina wire and other defensive structures.
- Surveillance and Intelligence Support: Military personnel will work alongside Border Patrol agents to monitor and track migration patterns.
- Transport and Logistical Assistance: Troops will help move personnel, supplies, and detainees between border facilities.
- Medical and Humanitarian Aid: Military medics will provide emergency assistance to migrants when needed.
This is not the first time active-duty troops have been deployed to the border. Previous administrations, including Trump’s first term, utilized military personnel to support immigration enforcement. However, critics argue that deploying active-duty forces to handle immigration issues is an unnecessary militarization of the border.
Preparations at Guantanamo Bay
In addition to deploying troops at the border, the Pentagon has also confirmed that some 500 Marines have been sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to prepare for a potential surge in migrant detentions. This move suggests that the Trump administration is considering detaining undocumented migrants at the U.S. naval base, a controversial tactic that has drawn criticism from human rights organizations.
Political and Legal Repercussions
Supporters’ Viewpoint
Supporters of Trump’s immigration policies argue that the increased military presence is necessary to deter illegal crossings and curb drug smuggling. Republican lawmakers and conservative activists have praised the move as a sign of Trump’s commitment to border security.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) described the deployment as a “long-overdue measure to restore order at the border.” Similarly, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a vocal advocate for stricter immigration policies, welcomed the news, stating that “Texas has been forced to do the federal government’s job for too long.”
Criticism and Backlash
However, the deployment has faced strong criticism from Democratic lawmakers, civil rights groups, and immigration advocates. Opponents argue that using active-duty troops for border security blurs the line between military and civilian law enforcement, a move that could violate the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the military’s ability to enforce domestic laws.
House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) condemned the move, stating, “This administration continues to use our military as a political tool rather than addressing the root causes of migration.”
Trump’s Other Major Policy Moves
While the border deployment dominates headlines, President Trump has also taken several other significant actions in recent days:
1. Trump Fires U.S. Archivist Colleen Shogan
Trump has dismissed Colleen Shogan as the head of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). This move comes after NARA played a key role in referring concerns over Trump’s handling of classified documents to the Justice Department in 2022—a case that led to the FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago.
Although charges related to the case have since been dropped following Trump’s return to the presidency, he has repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with the agency. Shogan, the first woman to hold the position, was not the archivist at the time of the controversy; David Ferriero, an Obama appointee, was in charge when the classified documents issue emerged.
2. Trump Revokes Biden’s Security Clearance
Trump announced via social media that he revoked former President Joe Biden’s security clearance, arguing that there is “no need” for Biden to receive intelligence briefings. Trump justified the move by citing national security concerns, though critics view it as political retaliation.
3. White House Faith Office Established
Trump signed an executive order creating the White House Faith Office, renaming and restructuring the previous Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The new office will focus on religious liberty issues, faith-based outreach, and promoting adoption and foster care programs.
4. Lawsuits Over Data Access
Nineteen Democratic attorneys general have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, attempting to block the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive Treasury Department data, including Social Security and bank account numbers. The case, filed in New York City federal court, alleges that the administration’s actions violate federal law.
The Road Ahead
With the latest troop deployment, Trump is further cementing his hardline immigration policies. The move is expected to fuel ongoing protests, legal challenges, and political debates in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the administration is also preparing to take action on other fronts, including a broad review of federal gun regulations, potential tariffs on foreign imports, and major spending proposals to strengthen military capabilities.
As Trump continues to push his agenda, the country remains deeply divided over his policies, particularly on immigration. With legal battles looming and the political climate heating up, the coming months are likely to be pivotal in shaping the future of U.S. immigration and national security policies.
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