President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 1,500 military troops to the southern border, citing the need to send a strong message to individuals considering breaking U.S. laws. This move comes despite encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border being at their lowest in years. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the troops would support civilian-controlled law enforcement operations, with details on their arrival not yet specified.
This decision is part of a series of immigration-related orders signed by Trump, including a national emergency declaration at the border. Trump also signed an executive order directing the evaluation of invoking the Insurrection Act for potential military action in civilian law domestically. While troops at the southern border have traditionally handled administrative tasks due to the Posse Comitatus Act, this may change depending on the evaluation results.
The deployment of troops comes at a time when border encounters are significantly lower than in previous years. The most recent data from Customs and Border Protection showed 96,000 encounters in December compared to 252,000 encounters in December of fiscal year 2023. The administration’s decision to send troops is already facing scrutiny and potential legal challenges.
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