The United States is ramping up security along the 3,145-kilometer border with Mexico as President Donald Trump takes swift action to fulfill his campaign pledges to curb illegal immigration and stop the flow of illicit drugs.

Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses announced Wednesday that 1,500 additional active-duty troops will be deployed to the southwest border. The deployment includes 1,000 soldiers and 500 marines, many of whom had been stationed in Southern California as backup for combating wildfires in Los Angeles County, according to a senior military official.

Salesses stated that the Department of Defense (DoD) will bolster its border forces with ground personnel, helicopters, and intelligence analysts to enhance detection and monitoring efforts. This move represents a 60% increase in active-duty forces since Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

Just hours after taking office, Trump declared a “national emergency” at the U.S.-Mexico border and signed an executive order titled “Securing Our Borders.” Salesses confirmed that the president directed him to take “all appropriate action” to support the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in achieving full operational control of the southern border.

While U.S. troops are currently prohibited from performing law enforcement duties under the Posse Comitatus Act, Trump is reportedly exploring the use of the Insurrection Act of 1807. This would allow military personnel to assist in civilian law enforcement at the border.

In addition to deploying troops, Salesses announced two immediate actions:

  • Military airlift support for deportation flights of over 5,000 detained individuals from the San Diego and El Paso sectors.
  • Assistance in constructing temporary and permanent border barriers to deter illegal crossings and trafficking.

Salesses emphasized that these measures are just the beginning of a broader plan to secure the U.S. border. He pledged to work with DHS, federal agencies, and state partners to address threats, as outlined by the president.

“President Trump directed the Department of Defense to take swift action, and our military is delivering results under his leadership,” Salesses said.

Trump suggested on Monday that U.S. forces could even operate in Mexico to combat drug cartels, a controversial idea he framed as a possibility. He also criticized Mexico and Canada for failing to prevent the movement of migrants and drugs into the United States.

The president reiterated the potential for economic consequences, threatening a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian exports to the U.S. starting February 1 unless stricter measures are taken to control illegal crossings and fentanyl smuggling.

During his first term, Trump similarly pressured Mexico by threatening a 5% tariff, which was avoided after Mexico agreed to deploy troops to curb migration in 2019.

The latest deployment and accompanying actions highlight the administration’s aggressive approach to border security and its broader implications for U.S.-Mexico relations.