This armoured vehicle was used in Iraq - now it's stationed at the US-Mexico border

In the heart of the Texas desert, near the US-Mexico border, a Stryker armored vehicle stands ready. This eight-wheeled combat vehicle, known for its light weight and power, was previously used in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, it serves a new purpose: helping to prevent illegal crossings at the southern border of the United States. Along the 3,100-kilometer border, about 100 Stryker vehicles are deployed, supported by over 8,000 soldiers, spy planes, drones, and two Navy ships monitoring the coastline. On the Mexican side, a young man watches from a hilltop. Known as a 'hawk' by Border Patrol agents, he helps monitor and decide when migrants might attempt to cross. However, the number of crossings has dropped significantly, largely due to stricter immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump. This decline has sparked debate about the effectiveness and appropriateness of the heavy military presence at the border.

President Trump has described the situation at the border as an 'invasion' and has responded by deploying military resources in an unprecedented way. Normally, the Posse Comitatus Act restricts the use of federal military forces in domestic law enforcement. However, the administration has used a legal loophole by designating parts of the border as National Defense Areas, effectively turning them into extensions of military bases. This allows soldiers to patrol these areas and detain migrants as trespassers until Border Patrol agents arrive. Critics argue this strategy militarizes about a third of the southern border, blurring the lines between military and police roles. The military insists its role is limited to detaining and alerting Border Patrol, not conducting law enforcement themselves.

The Trump administration defends this approach as necessary for national security, pointing to its strong electoral mandate and campaign promises to strengthen border security. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the new defense areas improve the ability to detect and prosecute illegal immigrants, criminal gangs, and terrorists, as well as combat the flow of dangerous narcotics like fentanyl. Around 1,700 signs have been posted to warn migrants against trespassing in these areas. Despite a historic drop in illegal crossings—from 128,000 in April last year to just over 8,000 this April—the military maintains that even one illegal crossing is unacceptable. Brigadier General Jeremy Winters emphasized that 95% containment is not enough, as it implies tolerating lawbreaking. The creation of these militarized zones has led to new charges for migrants caught crossing, including violating security regulations, which carry harsher penalties than traditional illegal entry charges. Some migrants have been confused by the new rules and signage, leading to legal challenges. While some charges have been dismissed due to unclear signage, many migrants have been convicted or pleaded guilty. The militarization of the border is expected to continue, with the military focused on sealing and protecting the homeland rather than training exercises.