Military Personnel to Begin Monitoring at Frontier
The introduction of Stryker vehicles equipped with surveillance technology will signify a significant advancement in the Trump administration's initiative to utilize the military for the purpose of detaining migrants.
TroibNews 
Hundreds of troops are set to begin surveillance operations along the southern border, marking their first deployment in President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement strategy.
According to three defense officials familiar with the plans, service members will position their armored infantry vehicles near the border in the days ahead and utilize night vision technology to keep watch over open areas. Additionally, the troops will be allowed to conduct foot patrols.
This deployment of advanced eight-wheeled Stryker vehicles signals a new phase in the Trump administration’s approach to involving the military in the detention of migrants. Previously, the 9,000 active-duty troops sent to Texas and Arizona have focused mainly on logistical support and back-end tasks. The new initiative will see these service members take on a more active role.
The troops from the 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, will assist in transporting border patrol agents to locations where they are needed. While the service members are prohibited from detaining civilians or executing law enforcement duties, they do have the right to defend themselves if attacked.
“The authority to transport [Customs and Border Protection] personnel during patrols means law enforcement personnel will be on-hand or nearby to conduct any necessary law enforcement activity,” Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of the U.S. Northern Command overseeing the initiative, stated in a news release.
Army Maj. Jared Stefan told local reporters in Texas last week that the troops deployed along the border will be armed and “have the right to defend themselves.”
Deploying active-duty troops with advanced surveillance equipment could facilitate the Pentagon's efforts to create a buffer zone to monitor cross-border traffic and detain migrants.
One of the proposals under consideration by the Pentagon involves establishing a buffer zone on federally-owned land in New Mexico overseen by the Interior Department. This idea has sparked criticism due to its broad interpretation of federal law.
The Washington Post was the first to report on the buffer zone proposal.
If necessary, Trump could invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, which would grant troops the authority to detain civilians. However, by designating a buffer zone along a portion of the border, the Pentagon could effectively claim the authority to detain migrants on the grounds that they are trespassing on military property.
Some legal experts have expressed doubt regarding the legality of these measures.
“This is not a valid exercise under the military purpose doctrine,” stated Joseph Nunn, a lawyer at the Brennan Center for Justice and a specialist in the domestic use of the military. “This is instead an attempt to exploit that doctrine to allow the military to participate in law enforcement under circumstances that have not been authorized by Congress.”
Max Fischer for TROIB News
According to three defense officials familiar with the plans, service members will position their armored infantry vehicles near the border in the days ahead and utilize night vision technology to keep watch over open areas. Additionally, the troops will be allowed to conduct foot patrols.
This deployment of advanced eight-wheeled Stryker vehicles signals a new phase in the Trump administration’s approach to involving the military in the detention of migrants. Previously, the 9,000 active-duty troops sent to Texas and Arizona have focused mainly on logistical support and back-end tasks. The new initiative will see these service members take on a more active role.
The troops from the 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, will assist in transporting border patrol agents to locations where they are needed. While the service members are prohibited from detaining civilians or executing law enforcement duties, they do have the right to defend themselves if attacked.
“The authority to transport [Customs and Border Protection] personnel during patrols means law enforcement personnel will be on-hand or nearby to conduct any necessary law enforcement activity,” Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of the U.S. Northern Command overseeing the initiative, stated in a news release.
Army Maj. Jared Stefan told local reporters in Texas last week that the troops deployed along the border will be armed and “have the right to defend themselves.”
Deploying active-duty troops with advanced surveillance equipment could facilitate the Pentagon's efforts to create a buffer zone to monitor cross-border traffic and detain migrants.
One of the proposals under consideration by the Pentagon involves establishing a buffer zone on federally-owned land in New Mexico overseen by the Interior Department. This idea has sparked criticism due to its broad interpretation of federal law.
The Washington Post was the first to report on the buffer zone proposal.
If necessary, Trump could invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, which would grant troops the authority to detain civilians. However, by designating a buffer zone along a portion of the border, the Pentagon could effectively claim the authority to detain migrants on the grounds that they are trespassing on military property.
Some legal experts have expressed doubt regarding the legality of these measures.
“This is not a valid exercise under the military purpose doctrine,” stated Joseph Nunn, a lawyer at the Brennan Center for Justice and a specialist in the domestic use of the military. “This is instead an attempt to exploit that doctrine to allow the military to participate in law enforcement under circumstances that have not been authorized by Congress.”
Max Fischer for TROIB News
