In a decisive move to enhance national security and address escalating concerns about illegal immigration and border security, President Donald Trump on Friday authorized the U.S. military to take control of public lands along the southern border with Mexico. This historic move underscores the administration’s commitment to securing the nation’s borders, even as it faces criticism and legal challenges.
A Bold New Strategy
President Trump’s National Security Presidential Memorandum, released by the White House, outlines a major escalation in the administration’s efforts to address border security. The president’s directive points to the increasing complexity of the situation at the southern border and asserts that military intervention is now necessary to achieve effective control.
“Our southern border is under attack from a variety of threats,” Trump stated in the memorandum. “The complexity of the current situation requires that our military take a more direct role in securing our southern border than in the recent past.”
The directive builds on Trump’s earlier declaration of a national emergency at the southern border on Inauguration Day. This emergency declaration mandated the creation of a report from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem within 90 days. The report would assess the conditions at the southern border and outline any additional actions needed to establish complete operational control, including the possible invocation of the Insurrection Act of 1807.
Expanding the Military’s Role on Federal Lands
Under this new memorandum, Trump has given the Pentagon the authority to exert jurisdiction over federal lands along the southern border. This includes key areas such as the Roosevelt Reservation, a 45-mile stretch of land running along the border in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. These federal lands have been seen as essential in the Trump administration’s efforts to build a border barrier and implement monitoring and surveillance systems.
Notably, the memorandum exempts Native American reservations from these activities, recognizing the unique legal status of tribal lands. However, the order includes provisions for federal land transfers, allowing the military to conduct operations such as the construction of border barriers and installation of advanced detection equipment, making it a critical part of the broader national defense strategy.
Trump’s decision to involve the military directly in securing the border reflects a broader policy shift in how the U.S. government approaches immigration enforcement. The Trump administration has consistently argued that border security is a matter of national security, and this new directive shows the president’s willingness to take aggressive action to protect the nation.
A Clear Mandate for Action
The order tasks Defense Secretary Hegseth, Homeland Security Secretary Noem, and several other high-ranking officials, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, with implementing this new strategy. The initial phase will involve the transfer of military control to a limited sector of federal lands along the border. Within 45 days, Secretary Hegseth will assess the success of this phase and, if deemed necessary, expand the military’s presence to additional areas along the southern border.
This new phase of military engagement comes after the Trump administration already deployed 1,500 additional troops to bolster the 2,500 that were stationed at the southern border during the Biden administration. These troops, operating under Joint Task Force Southern Border, are led by Maj. Gen. Scott Naumann, who transferred from Fort Drum in New York to Fort Huachuca in southeastern Arizona to oversee operations.
A Shift in Border Security Operations
The role of active-duty military personnel at the southern border has traditionally been limited. Under the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which prohibits the use of federal troops in law enforcement activities, active-duty military personnel are generally restricted from engaging directly in the detention of illegal immigrants or performing other law enforcement duties. Instead, they primarily assist Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by providing support with surveillance, intelligence gathering, and other non-enforcement roles.
However, with the new directive, Trump is signaling a broader shift in how the military’s role will be defined. By granting the Pentagon the authority to oversee and manage military activities on federal lands, the president is paving the way for a more aggressive approach to securing the border. The move also allows for the construction of border barriers in areas where access has historically been restricted.
This military involvement will likely escalate tensions between Trump’s administration and groups that have been critical of the president’s immigration policies, particularly those who have accused his administration of engaging in human rights abuses at the border.
The Impact of Trump’s Policies on Border Crossings
The latest figures from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicate that the Trump administration’s policies are having a significant impact on illegal border crossings. In March 2025, CBP recorded just 7,180 illegal crossings at the southern border, a dramatic decrease from the average of 155,000 monthly crossings that occurred in the previous four years under the Biden administration.
In addition to the reduction in illegal border crossings, daily apprehensions have also decreased by approximately 95%. With the average number of daily apprehensions falling from 5,100 under the Biden administration to just about 230, Trump’s hardline policies are being hailed as effective in curbing illegal immigration.
The reduction in border crossings also highlights the success of the administration’s use of military resources and strategic deployment at the border. The presence of troops and increased surveillance measures appear to be significantly deterring illegal crossings, even as critics argue that these measures are an overreach of federal power.
Legal Challenges and Continued Debate
Despite the successes, Trump’s border security strategy remains highly controversial, with multiple legal challenges and political debates ongoing. The administration has faced opposition from immigrant advocacy groups, civil liberties organizations, and some state and local governments, particularly those in so-called “sanctuary cities” that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
Recently, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by churches challenging the Trump administration’s new policy that permits immigration officers to make arrests near churches and other sensitive locations. The ruling affirmed the administration’s authority to conduct enforcement operations in a variety of public spaces, much to the chagrin of the plaintiffs.
These ongoing legal challenges reflect the broader national debate over immigration policy, with Trump’s administration prioritizing a strict enforcement approach while critics argue for a more humane system that balances border security with the rights of migrants.
The Future of Border Security Under Trump
As President Trump moves forward with his second term in office, his administration’s approach to border security is likely to remain a focal point of both his domestic policy agenda and his interactions with other nations. With the military now playing a more prominent role in securing the border, it is clear that the Trump administration will continue to prioritize the protection of U.S. sovereignty while also addressing the complex challenges posed by illegal immigration and human trafficking.
The coming months will reveal how successful this approach will be in terms of reducing illegal immigration and fortifying the southern border. With the continued deployment of military personnel, the expansion of border barriers, and ongoing diplomatic efforts to engage neighboring countries, Trump’s border security strategy will remain a key issue in U.S. politics.
As the debate over immigration policy intensifies, it is likely that Trump will face continued opposition from those who view his policies as divisive or unjust. However, with the results of his efforts already visible in the reduction of border crossings, it is clear that the president’s approach is achieving tangible results—at least for now. Whether these policies will endure in the long term will depend on the continued political dynamics within the U.S. and the broader global landscape.
In any case, the recent developments in border security signal that Trump is doubling down on his hardline stance, making clear that his administration intends to maintain strict control over the nation’s borders, regardless of the opposition it may face.
