Homeland Security asks to mobilize 20,000 National Guard troops for border enforcement

Migrants are seen waiting to surrender to the U.S. Border Patrol upon crossing the border wall from Mexico near Campo, California, approximately 50 miles from San Diego, in 2024. A request from the Department of Homeland Security for the activation of 20,000 National Guard troops by the Defense Department to enforce immigration laws under the Trump administration’s initiative to control illegal migration is currently under review by Pentagon lawyers. The New York Times initially reported this development on Thursday. A Defense Department spokesperson informed ABC News that safeguarding U.S. sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security is a crucial mission of the DoD, and they will collaborate with DHS to effectively respond to requests for DoD support. These troops would work alongside Customs and Border Protection efforts managed by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to protect the border and identify migrants believed to be residing in the country unlawfully. The current security force comprises around 8,600 border patrol agents overseeing a 230-mile border section spanning from New Mexico to Texas, which are viewed as extensions of U.S. military bases. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned last month that any illegal entry into this area is considered trespassing on a military base – a federally protected zone. Individuals will be apprehended and intercepted by U.S. troops and border patrol agents working in collaboration. The Defense Department has not disclosed a specific timeline for when a recommendation may be made to deploy the National Guard troops.