U.S. and Mexico to Begin Joint Patrols on Southern Border

U.S. and Mexico Coordinate Border Patrols to Bolster Security Measures

In a significant move to enhance border security, the United States and Mexico will commence coordinated patrols along their respective sides of the southern border, as announced by the Pentagon on Wednesday. This initiative marks a pronounced shift in border management strategies, emphasizing the Trump administration’s commitment to reducing illegal immigration.

President Donald Trump, aiming to fulfill a major campaign promise, initiated the deployment of approximately 3,600 American troops to the U.S.-Mexico border shortly after assuming office in January. The 10th Mountain Division of the Army has been designated as the headquarters element for this mission, supplementing the 2,500 National Guard members already stationed at the border prior to his presidency.

During a recent meeting between Gen. Gregory Guillot, head of U.S. Northern Command, and Gen. Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, Mexico’s top military officer, the two leaders agreed to “increase information sharing and establish methods for immediate communications,” as stated by the Pentagon.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the importance of this mission, stating, “Border security is national security; we’re going to get 100% operational control of our southern border. That will be a focus of this department.”

Despite the growing presence of troops, the Pentagon has provided limited information about the mission’s extent. Media access remains restricted, a stark departure from the transparency seen during military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. This lack of detail has led to questions about whether troops will engage directly with migrants or participate in constructing physical barriers. Notably, Air Force personnel have been instructed to remove name tapes and unit identifiers during deportation flights.

Reports from National Guardsmen deployed to the border in recent years indicate challenges with their units not being fully utilized during missions. Key deployments include military police from major Army installations such as Fort Cavazos in Texas, Fort Carson in Colorado, and Fort Drum in New York.

Furthermore, Marine detachments from the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, based at Camp Pendleton, California, have also been deployed as part of the enhanced security efforts.