(NewsNation) — The Pentagon has ordered up to 3,000 active-duty troops to the southern border as it looks to increase the United States’ border sovereignty.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the orders Friday, with 2,500 to 3,000 troops set to be deployed.
In January, the Pentagon sent up to 1,500 active-duty troops to the border, which already had approximately 2,500 U.S. National Guard and Reserve forces on hand.
“As directed by President Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered the deployment of a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) and General Support Aviation Battalion to reinforce and expand current border security operations to seal the border and protect the territorial integrity of the United States, a priority for the President,” a senior defense official told NewsNation.
“These forces will arrive in the coming weeks,” the official said, “And their deployment underscores the Department’s unwavering dedication to working alongside the Department of Homeland Security to secure our southern border and maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States under President Trump’s leadership.”
Pentagon reportedly warns of military action in Mexico
Mexican National Guard troops are currently patrolling the border in the Tijuana area as part of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s pledge amid tariff negotiations with President Donald Trump.
The military buildup comes as the Trump administration increases pressure on Mexico to address cartel activity and Trump’s mission to curb illegal immigration and the fentanyl crisis.
The Wall Street Journal reported Hegseth warned Mexican military leadership in a private call that U.S. military action in Mexico is “on the table” if the country fails to meet the administration’s security demands.
Thousands more troops could be deployed in the future, with Hegseth stating on social media, “We are dead serious about 100% OPERATIONAL CONTROL of the southern border.”
Mexico recently extradited more than two dozen cartel leaders to the U.S., including the Drug Enforcement Administration’s most wanted drug lord.
Democrats push back on Pete Hegseth’s border plan
Mexico faces a major deadline Tuesday — the expiration of a monthlong pause on Trump’s plan to enact 25% tariffs on the country.
It has been nearly 30 days since Trump threatened Mexico, Canada and China with tariffs unless they took action to curb drug trafficking and illegal border crossings into the U.S.
Some Democratic lawmakers are concerned over the direction of U.S.-Mexico relations.
“Hegseth is basically threatening to invade Mexico. Let’s be very, very clear here: This is not appropriate, it’s not wise, and frankly, it’s not necessary,” said Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif.
Illegal border crossings have sharply declined, but whether the U.S. will take military action in Mexico or if there will be economic consequences from the tariffs remains to be seen.
Who are the troops going to the border?
The Pentagon is sending a Stryker brigade combat team and a general support aviation battalion.
The deployment includes a mechanized infantry force built around the eight-wheeled Stryker vehicle, which is designed for mobility, protection and rapid deployment.
The general support aviation battalion will provide air support with UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
“The added air capability ensures greater coverage of remote areas and enhances coordination with border security teams,” a Pentagon spokesperson said.
This latest deployment will join the 9,200 troops already stationed at the border — 4,200 active-duty troops under federal orders and 5,000 National Guard troops under state governor control.
Pentagon officials have not specified the exact positioning of these new troops along the border but indicated they will arrive in the coming weeks as part of the administration’s broader strategy to curb illegal crossings and drug trafficking.