Hegseth’s Border Visit
On Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will make his first visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, a significant milestone since taking on his new role.
This visit includes a tour of Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, where U.S. military personnel are actively involved in immigration enforcement.
Hegseth plans to meet with troops currently working to reinforce existing border barriers.
Military Deployments
During his visit, he is expected to announce the deployment of an additional 400 to 500 troops to enhance the military’s presence in the area.
Troops from the 10th Mountain Division, stationed at Fort Drum in New York, are set to arrive in Texas this week to establish a new command post, which will streamline military coordination for border security.
Currently, this coordination is being managed by the same unit handling domestic emergencies like wildfires and natural disasters.
This trip highlights Hegseth’s focus as he navigates his new responsibilities at the Pentagon.
Just prior to his appointment, the Defense Department assigned 1,500 active-duty personnel to support law enforcement in improving logistical operations and infrastructure at the border.
Additionally, the Pentagon has deployed helicopters and aircraft to assist in the deportation of migrants to various countries in Latin America and South America.
Strategic Changes
Presently, about 4,000 active-duty troops are stationed along the southern border, reflecting the military’s increasingly aggressive stance on immigration enforcement—a central theme of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Northern Command, which oversees operations within the continental U.S., has already adjusted its strategies to bolster border security in response to directives from the president.
In a significant shift, the Defense Department is also preparing to utilize Guantanamo Bay to potentially house tens of thousands of deported migrants, moving away from its original focus on terrorism.
However, this change is likely to provoke substantial legal challenges, given the base’s location in Cuba.
Over the recent weekend, Hegseth had discussions with Mexican officials, reiterating that his main aim is to safeguard U.S. citizens and strengthen the defenses at the southern border.
Source: Militarytimes