U.S. Military Bolsters Southern Border with 9,000 Troops, Mexico Sends 10,000. Cartels Shrug.

The United States military has ramped up its deployment along the southern border, responding to escalating threats from drug cartels, including concerns over drone strikes targeting Border Patrol agents. With thousands of troops now positioned along the border, this move marks a significant shift in security strategy, sparking debate over its implications for immigration control, drug smuggling, and U.S.-Mexico relations.

How Many Troops Are Now at the Border?

At present, around 5,000 active-duty U.S. troops are stationed along the border, with military officials suggesting that this number may continue to rise. General Gregory Guillot, head of U.S. Northern Command, recently informed lawmakers, “We have also introduced some uniquely military capabilities aimed at countering the cartels, which are a primary driver of illegal migration. This includes expanded airborne ISR [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] to gather more intelligence and disrupt their operations.”

In line with this escalation, the U.S. has deployed elements of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team and a general support aviation battalion to reinforce border operations. These additional forces could bring the total number of U.S. military personnel stationed at the border to 9,000, far outnumbering the monthly migrant apprehensions recorded in recent weeks.

President Trump’s decision to escalate military involvement follows through on his campaign pledge to declare a “national emergency” at the border and establish total operational control over crossings. On January 20, the first day of his second term, he signed an executive order instructing military commanders to deploy “as many units or personnel of the Armed Forces” as necessary to secure the border.

Mexico’s Response: Deploying 10,000 National Guard Troops

In response to U.S. pressure, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has mobilized 10,000 National Guard troops to the country’s northern border, aimed at curbing drug trafficking and irregular migration. This move follows a strong push from Trump, who had threatened Mexico with 25% tariffs on all imports unless stronger action was taken against smuggling operations.

Sheinbaum, however, framed the deployment as an effort to bolster Mexico’s internal security rather than a concession to U.S. demands. “This isn’t the first time such deployments have happened, and it’s not out of nowhere,” she remarked when questioned about the increased surveillance near the border.

Despite Mexico’s actions, critics argue that these troop movements are more about political optics than effective enforcement. Similar National Guard deployments in 2019 and 2021 failed to significantly curb drug trafficking or illegal migration, raising doubts about whether this latest move will yield different results.

The Border Wall: Will It Finally Be Completed?

Vice President JD Vance recently reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to finishing the U.S.-Mexico border wall by 2029. Speaking from Eagle Pass, Texas, he declared, “The president’s goal is to complete the border wall by the end of this term. And beyond the physical barrier, we’re also integrating advanced technology, including AI-driven surveillance systems.”

The administration maintains that a fortified border—backed by military presence and high-tech surveillance—will serve as a powerful deterrent against illegal migration and drug smuggling. However, skeptics point out that cartels have historically circumvented physical barriers through underground tunnels, drones, and bribery of border officials.

Impact on Illegal Crossings

Since Trump’s executive orders took effect, illegal border crossings have dropped significantly. In February 2025, border apprehensions totaled just over 8,000, the lowest figure in decades. Trump quickly touted the decline as evidence that his policies were succeeding, writing on social media, “February, my first full month back in office, saw the LOWEST number of illegal immigrants trying to enter the country in history—BY FAR!”

However, immigration experts caution that border crossings tend to fluctuate seasonally and that enforcement alone may not offer a permanent solution. Many migrants fleeing violence, poverty, and political instability may seek alternative routes or turn to smugglers for assistance. “The need for our services will only grow,” one cartel operative told ABC News. “We tell migrants they won’t be able to cross without our help.”

Drug Trafficking: Cartels Continue Business as Usual

Despite the enhanced military presence, drug cartels remain largely undeterred. Reports suggest that fentanyl smuggling continues at a steady pace, with cartels adapting their methods in response to heightened security measures.

ABC News reported that cartel operatives are still moving fentanyl into the U.S. even under Trump’s border crackdown. “Not long after the cartel delivered weapons, they loaded five sandwich-sized fentanyl packages into the same SUV, concealing them in a hidden compartment beneath the center console,” the report detailed. That single shipment alone contained over 10,000 pills, valued at more than $50,000 on the street—an alarming sign of the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the U.S.

Although the majority of fentanyl seizures occur at legal ports of entry, U.S. officials argue that securing the entire border is essential to reducing trafficking. “The flow of narcotics has decreased,” noted Ricardo Moreno, deputy director of Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations. “But even one smuggling event is too much. President Trump’s objective is clear: not an ounce, not a gram, not a pound of fentanyl should enter the United States.”

Could Military Force Be Used Against Cartels?

Some Republican leaders have floated the idea of direct military action against cartels operating in Mexico. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly supported military strikes on cartel infrastructure, while Trump has officially designated cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations,” a move that could justify military interventions across the border.

However, the Mexican government firmly opposes any unilateral U.S. military action on its soil. “We will seek an explanation, but always within the framework of our cooperation with them,” Sheinbaum stated when asked about U.S. military flights near the border.

Concerns remain that a direct military approach could backfire. Cartels have demonstrated extraordinary resilience, adapting swiftly to crackdowns by diversifying their revenue streams. Human smuggling, in particular, has become increasingly lucrative, with some cartels now profiting as much from trafficking migrants as from drug sales. “This doesn’t worry us,” one cartel member told ABC News. “This is our business, and we will keep doing it.”

PB Editor’s Note: This is just the beginning, not the final solution. By reducing illegal crossings by 95%, we’ve made the problem more manageable and can tighten enforcement further in phases. No one expects border security alone to eliminate drug trafficking, it never has. Ultimately, the fight will have to extend directly to the cartels in their strongholds.