U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will visit the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday, marking his first trip since taking office. The move underscores the Pentagon’s focus on border security under President Donald Trump.
Trump has increasingly deployed the military to support his immigration policies, including sending additional troops, using military aircraft for deportations, and housing migrants on military bases. “POTUS wants 100% operational control of the border—and we will deliver,” Hegseth stated on X.
On Saturday, Trump declared a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, citing fentanyl and illegal immigration as threats. He imposed tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. Last week, he announced an expansion of a detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to hold 30,000 people. White House border czar Tom Homan aims to transfer migrants there within 30 days. Additional U.S. Marines arrived at Guantanamo to support the expansion.
The Pentagon has begun deportation flights for over 5,000 immigrants from El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California. U.S. military aircraft flew migrants to Honduras and Peru over the weekend. Two officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed the flights.
Military deportation flights are costly, with one to Guatemala last week estimated at $4,675 per migrant—over five times the cost of a first-class American Airlines ticket from El Paso.
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