Overview

• The Department of Defense has deployed an additional 1,115 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, bringing the total number to nearly 10,000.
• Deployed troops are tasked with sustainment engineering, logistics, medical support, and construction roles to assist Customs and Border Protection.
• President Trump has authorized the military to designate federal land as 'National Defense Areas,' granting troops authority to detain and search undocumented migrants.
• Migrant encounters at the border have dropped significantly, with fewer than 10,000 recorded last month—a 93% decrease compared to the same period last year.
• The expanded military role at the border has reignited debates over costs, legal boundaries under Posse Comitatus, and the long-term feasibility of such measures.