The Pentagon is sending an additional 3,000 troops and armored Stryker vehicles to the U.S.-Mexico border under orders from the Trump administration. This latest deployment brings the total number of service members stationed at the southern border to more than 9,000, reinforcing federal and state law enforcement agencies already in place.

Pentagon orders 3,000 additional troops to US-Mexico border https://t.co/6UPwxCwQTX pic.twitter.com/fKA7WhJFB4

— New York Post (@nypost) March 1, 2025

The decision, authorized by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, is part of an expanded effort to “seal the border and protect the territorial integrity of the United States,” according to officials. Hegseth made it clear that this operation is a top priority, stating on social media, “We are dead serious about 100% OPERATIONAL CONTROL of the southern border.”

This increased military presence comes amid ongoing concerns over border security, with illegal crossings reaching record numbers in recent months. While some critics argue that a military response is excessive, supporters say the move is necessary to curb drug trafficking, human smuggling, and other threats. The administration has also indicated that it is working on further measures to enhance border security, including additional surveillance technology and fortifications in high-traffic areas.

The deployment of military resources to the border is not new, but the scale of this operation signals a more aggressive stance on border enforcement. With immigration policy continuing to be a major political issue, this latest action underscores the administration’s commitment to cracking down on illegal crossings and reinforcing national security.