Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.
The Pentagon has confirmed the deployment of more active-duty troops to the US-Mexico border, following executive orders from former President Donald Trump.
Some shit you should know before you read: Shortly after taking office, President Trump signed multiple executive orders aimed at reshaping US immigration policy and strengthening border security. Among these was a declaration of a national emergency at the southern border, which enabled the federal government to allocate additional resources and authority to address what Trump described as an “invasion” of illegal migrants. Another order reinstated Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy, requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases were processed in US immigration courts.
What’s going on now: In an announcement, the Pentagon confirmed the deployment of up to 1,500 active-duty troops to the US-Mexico border to support US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations. These troops will join approximately 2,500 National Guard and Reserve forces already stationed along the border as part of ongoing efforts to manage illegal immigration and drug traffiking. The newly deployed personnel will primarily handle logistical tasks such as transportation, surveillance, and the construction of barriers and assist with communications and monitoring equipment. Their roles will be supportive, as the Posse Comitatus Act restricts active-duty military personnel from engaging in direct law enforcement activities.
Some concerns raised: The deployment has raised concerns among critics over the potential expansion of the military’s role at the border. Some worry that directives under Trump’s executive orders could push the troops into areas typically reserved for civilian law enforcement, such as detaining migrants, which would mark a significant shift in the military’s function. These critics point to rumors that Trump may invoke the Insurrection Act to justify such action.
Digging Deeper: The Insurrection Act is a federal law enacted in 1807 that grants the president the authority to deploy the US military domestically in specific situations, such as suppressing civil disorder, rebellion, or insurrection. While it has been invoked sparingly throughout history, most recently during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, former President Trump has signaled through executive orders that he could consider using the Act to expand the military’s role at the US-Mexico border. By invoking the Insurrection Act, Trump could override the restrictions of the Posse Comitatus Act, allowing active-duty troops to perform law enforcement duties, such as detaining illegal immigrants.
