As the sun rose over El Paso on September 17, 2025, a new chapter in the ongoing debate over border security began to unfold. The Texas National Guard, in coordination with state and federal agencies, deployed nearly 500 troops to the city’s southern edge, aiming to bolster security and disrupt criminal activity along the U.S.-Mexico border. This move, announced by both the U.S. Border Patrol and the Texas Military Department, comes amid a sharp decline in illegal crossings but also amid rising political controversy over the allocation of resources.
According to KFOX14/CBS4, Claudio Herrera of the El Paso Sector detailed the deployment: "There have been sent 483 troops so far today. From those troops, there are going to be 50 of them designated for administration duties, 100 of them are going to be part of the engineering teams, and the 333 additional will be sent to operations in the field." It’s a comprehensive response, with personnel assigned across a spectrum of tasks, from administrative support to boots-on-the-ground field operations.
What’s driving this surge of manpower? Authorities say the mission is clear: curb transnational criminal and terrorist activities and reinforce the border’s security infrastructure. The U.S. Border Patrol highlighted the technological edge in this operation, stating, "The technology will be able to track illegal entries in 'real time,' and intelligence sharing will be conducted worldwide." This high-tech approach is designed to make border surveillance more efficient, allowing authorities to respond swiftly to any incursions.
But here’s the twist: despite the ramp-up in security, the number of daily apprehensions in the El Paso area has plummeted. Herrera noted a dramatic drop, from 2,700 apprehensions per day in 2023 to as low as 40 per day as of September 2025. That’s a staggering decrease, raising questions about the necessity—and timing—of such a large-scale deployment.
For some, the answer is straightforward. The Texas Military Department, in a statement cited by KVIA, emphasized the enduring nature of the mission: "TMD’s Texas Tactical Border Force (TTBF) continues to support Operation Lone Star alongside state and federal partners. Together, we continue to disrupt cartel activity and narco-terrorism, stop illegal immigration, and protect our southern border." The department also stressed its long-standing partnership with federal agencies and the need to maintain vigilance, regardless of fluctuating crossing numbers.
Governor Greg Abbott’s office echoed this sentiment. Andrew Mahaleris, the governor’s press secretary, stated, "The Governor directed all state agencies to coordinate with the Trump Administration on border security, deployed Department of Public Safety tactical strike teams to support homeland security operations, and entered into agreements with DHS earlier this year that authorize the Texas National Guard to help enforce immigration law. Texas will continue utilizing every tool and strategy to secure the border and protect Texans." The message is clear: for state leaders, border security remains a top priority, and every available resource will be brought to bear.
Yet, not everyone is convinced this is the best use of military might. El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar has emerged as a vocal critic, arguing that the deployment represents a misallocation of federal resources. "Apprehensions at the border are way, way down," Escobar pointed out to KFOX14/CBS4. "Yet we continue to see the federal government and the state government, the state of Texas, pour massive amounts of resources into border operations." She went further, suggesting that these troops could be more effectively deployed elsewhere: "There are still places in parts of the country that have suffered from historic flooding or historic natural disasters that have not gotten the help that they need."
The debate over priorities is not new, but it’s been sharpened by the sheer scale of the current operation. In addition to the National Guard deployment, the 1st Armored Division from Fort Bliss announced it will send approximately 2,500 soldiers from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team to the border this fall. These soldiers will relieve the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and continue the southern border mission under the command of Joint Task Force – Southern Border.
Col. Douglas Baker, commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, underscored the seriousness with which the mission is being taken: "Our Soldiers are taking their training and preparation for this mission very seriously, as some of the areas we will operate in will be close to the communities in which we live. It is important for us to continue to maintain the trust and confidence of our friends and neighbors as we conduct operations in support of our nation."
The Joint Task Force – Southern Border, under the direction of U.S. Northern Command, is tasked with executing "full-scale, agile, and all-domain operations in support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to protect the territorial integrity of the United States and achieve 100% operational control of the southern border," according to the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Public Affairs Office. It’s a mission that, on paper, leaves little room for ambiguity.
Operational specifics, however, remain closely guarded. The Texas Military Department declined to disclose the full number of personnel, mission details, or particular capabilities, citing operational security. Still, the department affirmed its commitment to working with federal partners and maintaining the ongoing presence of the Texas Tactical Border Force.
For the soldiers on the ground, the mission is both a duty and a challenge. Infrastructure work, intelligence gathering, and real-time surveillance are all part of the daily grind. And while technology has made it easier to monitor the border, the human element—trust, preparation, and community engagement—remains central to the operation’s success.
Meanwhile, the broader national conversation continues. Supporters of the deployment see it as a necessary step in maintaining border integrity and protecting communities from criminal activity. Critics, like Congresswoman Escobar, worry that the focus on the border diverts attention and resources from other pressing needs, such as disaster recovery and community rebuilding after natural catastrophes.
As fall approaches and the 1st Armored Division prepares for its own deployment, El Paso stands at the crossroads of national security and local concern. The city’s border, long a flashpoint in American politics, now serves as the stage for a renewed debate over how best to balance safety, resources, and humanitarian needs. Whether this latest surge in military presence will yield the intended results—or merely deepen the divisions over border policy—remains to be seen. For now, the eyes of Texas, and the nation, are fixed on El Paso’s southern frontier.
