Thousands of U.S. troops are currently patrolling the southern border with Mexico, following an executive emergency declaration issued by President Donald Trump earlier this year. The large-scale deployment is part of a broader effort to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking across key high-traffic corridors between official ports of entry.

One military official, speaking on background, described the area as formerly being a “high traffic area for illegal immigration,” adding that “it’s gotten a lot quieter in recent months,” suggesting the presence of troops has had a deterrent effect.

The deployment includes National Guard and active-duty personnel who are assisting Border Patrol agents with surveillance, logistics, and deterrence. Troops are not directly engaged in law enforcement activities but support operations through technology, equipment, and infrastructure reinforcement such as mobile towers and temporary fencing.

President Trump’s emergency declaration cited what he called an “ongoing invasion at our southern border,” and has drawn both praise from supporters who view it as a decisive move to secure the nation, and criticism from immigration advocates and some lawmakers who question the scale and cost of the military presence.

While data shows a decrease in illegal crossings in some sectors since the deployment began, humanitarian concerns persist. Advocacy groups have raised issues about prolonged troop presence and its impact on border communities.

As the operation continues, the White House maintains that border security remains a top priority, with President Trump vowing that the deployment will continue “as long as necessary to restore order and protect American sovereignty.”