The Trump administration’s aggressive border wall expansion aims to build 85 miles of new barriers this year, with plans for nearly 1,000 miles total as officials declare the southern border situation an “invasion” requiring immediate military intervention.
Quick Takes
- Trump signed four major executive actions on January 20, 2025, declaring a border “invasion” and suspending migrant entry and asylum applications
- Border wall construction has resumed in strategic locations like San Diego’s “Smuggler’s Gulch” and Jacumba, California
- Plans include deploying at least 10,000 troops and expanding blocking buoys in the Rio Grande
- Illegal crossings in San Diego have plummeted from 451 per day in October to 39 per day in March
- Officials emphasize that walls alone aren’t sufficient without proper law enforcement and consequences for illegal entry
Border “Invasion” Declaration Drives New Security Measures
On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration implemented four major executive actions focused on closing the U.S. southern border to migrants, including those seeking asylum. The presidential proclamation officially declared the situation an “invasion,” suspending migrant entry and asylum requests until the crisis is deemed over. This declaration restricts migrants from invoking provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act for asylum and requires them to provide comprehensive medical and criminal history information before consideration.
“Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion” – President Trump
The Department of Homeland Security, State Department, and Department of Justice have been tasked with repelling, repatriating, or removing migrants at the border. A separate executive order, “Securing Our Borders,” reinstates the “Remain in Mexico” policy, limits humanitarian parole, and formally resumes border wall construction that had been halted. The administration has also ended programs like CBP One and CHNV parole, which could potentially increase pressure at the border by closing lawful pathways for protection.
Military Deployment and Construction Priorities
Two additional executive actions involve direct military intervention, declaring a national border emergency and prioritizing border security in military planning. The armed forces are now directed to support DHS in achieving operational control of the border, with plans to deploy at least 10,000 troops. These actions allow for the reallocation of Department of Defense funds for border enforcement activities, including building new barriers and expanding detention facilities to manage the flow of migrants.
Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks has emphasized that the administration’s goal is to achieve complete operational control of the border. Recent construction activities have been observed in strategic areas like the Rio Grande in Texas, east of Yuma, Arizona, and San Diego’s “Smuggler’s Gulch.” The San Diego sector has received particular attention, with Border Patrol Sector Chief Jeffrey Stalnaker working toward “100% situational awareness and detection” of illegal crossings in this historically problematic area.
“Our absolute intent is to build as much wall as we need to get the border under control” – Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks
Multi-Layered Defensive Strategy Shows Early Results
The Trump administration’s border strategy extends beyond traditional wall construction to include innovative defensive measures. Plans include expanding the use of large blocking buoys in the Rio Grande, complemented by walls on the shoreline to create a two-tiered security system. Crews are actively working to fill gaps in existing barriers, with notable progress in areas like Smuggler’s Gulch that have historically served as easy crossing points for illegal migrants.
“If you’ve got laws that aren’t being enforced, or if you have an administration that refuses to allow the border patrol to actually enforce the law and provide a consequence, then walls by themselves don’t work” – Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks
Early statistics suggest the approach is yielding results. Illegal crossings in the San Diego sector have decreased dramatically from an average of 451 per day in October to just 39 per day in March. Jacumba, California, previously a crossing point for many migrants, including those from China, is now a focus area for new projects. To support these extensive construction plans, Senator Katie Britt has introduced legislation to allocate $25 billion specifically for border wall construction, as officials aim to add nearly 1,000 miles of additional barriers contingent on congressional funding.
Sources:
- Forum Analysis: President Trump’s Executive Actions on Border Security
- Trump admin shares border plans for 2025 and beyond: ‘As much wall as we need’
