Official announcements from the U.S. Department of Defense or the White House

Trump Deploys 1,500 Troops, Including Marines, to Border as First Wave Arrives

Jan 24, 2025, 05:37 PM

President Donald Trump has deployed active-duty troops, including Marines from Camp Pendleton, to the U.S.-Mexico border as part of his administration's efforts to secure the border and crack down on illegal immigration. Initial deployments include 1,500 troops, with plans to send up to 10,000 soldiers to assist in border security and to hold migrants awaiting deportation on military bases. Troops have begun arriving in Texas and California, reinforcing walls with barbed wire and building outposts to monitor illegal entries. The Marines are assisting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in what the White House describes as the "mission to secure America." The deployment follows executive orders signed by President Trump during his first week in office and the declaration of a national emergency. Trump stated at the World Economic Forum in Davos that action at the U.S. border has already started, emphasizing, "We will not allow our territory to be violated." The White House released video footage showing Marines arriving at the border. The total number of active-duty troops at the border now stands at around 4,000.