The United States Army reinforced the border wall in the Mexican city of Tijuana with barbed wire to prevent the illegal crossing of migrants.
The Department of Defense reported on X that members of the 1st Marine Division, along with the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, deployed concertina wire along the southern border wall, "adding additional security that will reduce illegal border crossings."
In another tweet, the agency clarified that the U.S. Northern Command is working alongside the Department of Homeland Security to enhance border security.
"This initial deployment of 1,500 active service personnel brings the total number of Title 10 military forces along the border to nearly 4,000," he detailed.
The military began reinforcing the base and the upper part of the border wall between San Diego, California, and Tijuana, in the area adjacent to the San Ysidro international port.
Residents of the area reported to the portal Público that since last week the marines began bringing in machinery, until they started hearing that they were already working, installing the barbed wire and reinforcing the bars.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, traveled to the border on February 3 to witness the operations firsthand and interact with the service members stationed there.
Hegseth declared that morale among the troops is high because they are supporting the strengthening of their own country, and that everyone has gotten involved "in a way that is really great to see."
"When you meet these men and women at our border in real time, capable of defending their communities, their families, their churches, their schools, they love that," he expressed.
Since his arrival at the White House, Trump implemented measures to reinforce security at the southern border of the United States, arguing that it is necessary to protect the country from an alleged "invasion" of irregular migrants.
After declaring a national emergency at the border, he ordered the reactivation of wall construction, with the building of at least 79 miles of barrier.
He also arranged for the deployment of 1,500 additional military personnel, joining the 2,500 National Guard soldiers already present in the area. According to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, the newly arrived troops will provide logistical and transportation support to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for their patrol operations.
Furthermore, Trump announced the elimination of the mobile application CBP One for requesting asylum and the reinstatement of the Stay in Mexico program (officially, Migrant Protection Protocols), which requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed in the United States.
The U.S. administration has made it clear that its immigration policy will not distinguish between illegal migrants who have committed serious crimes and those who have only entered the country irregularly.
The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated that individuals become "criminals by definition" when they enter the country illegally.
Frequently Asked Questions about the reinforcement of the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico
Why have fences been placed on the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico?
The U.S. military has reinforced the border wall with barbed wire to prevent illegal crossings by migrants. This effort is part of the security measures implemented by the Trump administration to reduce irregular immigration and protect the country's southern border.
How many military personnel are currently deployed at the border between the U.S. and Mexico?
Currently, nearly 4,000 military personnel from Title 10 have been deployed along the border. This number includes an initial deployment of 1,500 active duty members, in addition to the 2,500 National Guard soldiers already present in the area.
What additional measures has the Trump administration taken at the southern border?
In addition to the reinforcement with wires and the military deployment, the Trump administration has restarted the construction of the border wall. It has also eliminated tools such as the CBP One app for applying for asylum and has reinstated the Stay in Mexico program, forcing asylum seekers to wait on Mexican soil while their cases are processed.
What is the purpose of the deployment of Marines at the border?
The deployment of marines aims to strengthen border security and support authorities in controlling illegal immigration. The marines are collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security in the installation of barbed wire and other containment measures to reduce illegal crossings.
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