Overview
- The Mexican Border Defense Medal was established on Aug. 13 by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and mirrors the 1916–17 Mexican Border Service Medal.
- Eligibility applies to personnel assigned to designated operations supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection for at least 30 days since Jan. 20, according to Defense Department guidance.
- More than 10,000 troops are attached to Joint Task Force Southern Border, and Trump said over 25,000 have served in the operation, which has conducted about 13,000 patrols.
- The White House claims its crackdown has removed more than 2.5 million people and reduced unlawful crossings to the lowest level since 1970.
- Trump said he plans to sign an executive order classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction as part of the administration’s counter-narcotics push.