Overview of the Visit

On a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Vice President J.D. Vance participated in an aerial tour alongside prominent figures including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. This trip aimed to draw attention to the administration’s shift towards stricter immigration policies, which have purportedly resulted in a significant decrease in illegal crossings since the beginning of Trump’s second presidential term.

Aerial Tour and Engagements

The delegation flew over the Eagle Pass area, located approximately 150 miles southwest of San Antonio, before heading to a Border Patrol detention facility. Following this, they engaged in a roundtable discussion with law enforcement and border control officials to evaluate current strategies and initiatives.

State and Federal Collaboration

As part of the visit, Vance was also expected to check out Shelby Park, a local green space that Texas Governor Greg Abbott had taken from federal authorities last year during a dispute regarding border security measures. Abbott has criticized the Biden administration for its handling of immigration issues.

“Border security is national security,” Hegseth commented in anticipation of the trip, affirming the administration’s commitment to deporting individuals illegally crossing the border.

Trump’s Immigration Policies

The former president made a robust immigration crackdown central to his campaign, underscoring the need to eliminate the influx of migrants and halt the spread of drugs, particularly fentanyl, crossing the border. Trump implemented 25% tariffs on imports from both Mexico and Canada, arguing that both countries needed to intensify efforts against drug trafficking and illegal immigration.

During a congressional address, Trump stated, “They are now strongly embedded in our country. But we are getting them out and getting them out fast,” referring to undocumented migrants.

Recent Trends in Border Crossings

In January, arrests for illegal border crossings from Mexico saw a dramatic 39% decline compared to December 2023, following pre-existing trends exacerbated by measures taken by both Mexican authorities and severe new asylum regulations introduced by President Biden.

Additionally, new initiatives from the Trump administration have included deporting undocumented immigrants aboard military aircraft and the increased mobilization of federal law enforcement officials.

Military Deployment at the Border

Since the beginning of Trump’s current term, approximately 6,500 new military personnel have been assigned to the southern border, adding to an existing contingent of 2,500 troops. These forces, however, are tasked solely with detection and monitoring rather than direct interaction with migrants.

In recent developments, orders were approved allowing a significant number of Army Stryker brigade members and an aviation battalion to prepare for deployment, which is expected within the coming weeks.

Contrast in Leadership Approaches

While Vice President Kamala Harris was assigned by President Biden to address the underlying causes of immigration, her tenure has been marked by visits to the border, the first occurring in June 2021—over three months into his presidency, contrasting with Vance’s trip early in Trump’s second term.

Legal Considerations for Deportation

During Vance’s visit, discussions also revolved around potential usage of the Alien Enemy Act of 1798 to address deportations of Venezuelan nationals, labeled as a security threat due to their association with the gang Tren de Aragua. However, there’s uncertainty about whether invoking this act would necessitate recognition of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a figure the U.S. does not acknowledge as legitimate.

Invoking this law would empower the president to deport any noncitizen from countries with which the U.S. is at war—an avenue Trump has suggested as a strategy for expedited deportations.