Military troops significantly reduced illegal border crossings
U.S. military personnel have been deployed to the southern border to assist Customs and Border Protection agents, significantly reducing illegal crossing attempts. The San Diego Sector reported a drop in apprehensions to levels not seen since 2000. The military's presence, including nearly 500 Marines, has reinforced border barriers and improved response times for agents. They are helping with surveillance and detection, allowing CBP to focus on apprehensions. The collaboration between military forces and CBP has led to a notable decrease in illegal crossings, with February encounters falling to 30,000 from over 130,000 in previous years.