The Department of Homeland Security has formally requested 20,000 National Guard troops from the Pentagon to support President Trump’s immigration crackdown. The deployment would help arrest and deport illegal immigrants across the country as part of a sweeping enforcement plan.
Key Facts:
- DHS requested 20,000 National Guard troops from the Pentagon to assist with immigration enforcement.
- The request aims to support Trump’s directive to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens.
- The Pentagon acknowledged receiving the request and is reviewing it, but no final decision has been made.
- Democrats, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth, sharply criticized the move as an abuse of military power.
- This would mark the first time National Guard troops are used at the national level for interior immigration enforcement.
The Rest of The Story:
The Trump administration has made illegal immigration a central focus of its second term.
In line with his pledge for mass deportations, President Trump recently ordered DHS to expand its deportation force by 20,000 officers.
This new request for National Guard support is the latest step.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the request, stating it was made to help fulfill the president’s directive to remove criminal illegal aliens from the country.
While the Pentagon acknowledged receiving the request, they clarified that the planning is in early stages, and the specific roles for the troops remain unclear.
Previously, National Guard troops have been used at the state level to support border efforts, mainly in surveillance and logistical roles.
This would be the first time a federal-level deployment has been requested to directly assist in interior immigration enforcement operations.
Whether state governors must approve or whether federalization of the Guard is necessary remains to be seen.
DHS requests 20,000 National Guard troops to help with mass deportations.
Texas is in.
Let’s get this done. https://t.co/MSlTVgJGOS
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 16, 2025
Commentary:
The Department of Homeland Security’s request is a logical next step in meeting President Trump’s promise to restore law and order on immigration.
With an estimated 20+ million people in the U.S. illegally, fulfilling this mandate will require an all-hands-on-deck approach — and that includes the National Guard.
Federal law enforcement agencies alone cannot carry the burden.
They need reinforcement if they are to arrest, detain, and deport large numbers of illegal immigrants effectively.
The National Guard, already trained in logistics and security, can provide that support.
Critics may claim this oversteps norms, but there’s nothing unusual about using the Guard to assist in national emergencies.
Illegal immigration on this scale is just that — a crisis.
Deploying military resources within legal boundaries is a practical response.
The hand-wringing from Democrats, like Sen. Duckworth, rings hollow when compared to the years of permissive policies that encouraged illegal crossings.
Her claim that this is an “abuse” of the military ignores the fact that Guard troops have already been assisting at the border in various capacities for years.
The difference now is scale and purpose.
This isn’t about optics — it’s about restoring American sovereignty.
Illegal immigrants who break our laws should be held accountable and removed.
It’s not radical.
It’s the law.
Trump’s move to designate certain border areas as “National Defense Areas” shows he’s serious about securing our borders.
DHS and the Pentagon should respond in kind.
The Guard is an appropriate and available tool to help enforce immigration law across the country.
Finally, those responsible for encouraging this surge — especially Biden-era officials who deliberately undermined enforcement — should be held accountable.
Prosecutions are not off the table.
There must be consequences for betraying the public trust.
The Bottom Line:
DHS is seeking 20,000 National Guard troops to help meet Trump’s order for mass deportations.
This request marks a significant escalation in immigration enforcement.
It could become a turning point in the fight to regain control of America’s borders.
The Pentagon is reviewing the plan, and the outcome may shape the future of national immigration policy for years to come.
Read Next
– Researchers Using Ground Penetrating Radar Believe They May Have Found Noah’s Ark
– Border Patrol Applications Surge to Highest Level in The Agency’s History
– Patel Issues Blunt Warning After ISIS Plot to Hit Michigan Army Facility Foiled