WASHINGTON, March 1, 2025 – In a significant escalation of border security measures, the Pentagon announced today the deployment of approximately 3,000 additional active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, bolstering President Donald Trump’s ongoing campaign to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The move, ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, brings the total number of federal troops stationed along the nearly 2,000-mile frontier to over 7,000, marking one of the largest military mobilizations at the border in recent years.
The latest contingent includes elements of a Stryker Brigade Combat Team and a General Support Aviation Battalion, equipped with armored vehicles and helicopters. According to a Department of Defense statement released this afternoon, the troops are tasked with reinforcing and expanding current operations “to seal the border and protect the territorial integrity of the United States.” The deployment is expected to roll out over the coming weeks, with forces drawn from bases such as Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and Fort Huachuca in Arizona.
This announcement follows a flurry of border-related developments in recent weeks. Just days ago, Mexico began deploying 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border as part of a deal with President Trump to avert threatened tariffs and address fentanyl smuggling. On the U.S. side, approximately 4,200 active-duty troops and 5,000 National Guard personnel were already stationed at the border, assisting Customs and Border Protection with tasks ranging from erecting concertina wire barriers to providing intelligence and transportation support.
The Pentagon’s decision comes amid a sharp decline in illegal border crossings, with Border Patrol reporting just 229 encounters per day—down from a peak of 11,000 daily encounters during the Biden administration. Critics argue the additional troop deployment is a costly and unnecessary show of force, pointing to the reduced numbers as evidence that current measures are effective. Supporters, however, including Secretary Hegseth, insist that a robust military presence is essential to deter future surges and maintain national sovereignty.
“Deterrence begins at the southern border,” Hegseth said during a recent visit to Sunland Park, New Mexico, on February 3. “All options are on the table to support President Trump’s vision of a secure America.”
The deployment has sparked mixed reactions. On social media platforms like X, some users hailed it as a decisive step to protect the nation, while others decried it as wasteful militarization. “Illegal crossings are down tremendously. This is a waste of military power and funds,” one post read, reflecting a sentiment echoed by analysts questioning the strategic value of the move.
The broader context includes coordinated efforts with Mexico, where earlier this month, Presidents Trump and Claudia Sheinbaum brokered an agreement for joint border security initiatives. The Pentagon recently confirmed plans for coordinated patrols with Mexican forces, a step hailed as a diplomatic win for the Trump administration. 17GEN4.com
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