PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – On March 20, 2025, the Secretary of Defense authorized U.S. military personnel to conduct enhanced detection and monitoring to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These additional authorities enable service members to conduct mobile ground-based monitoring support to detect, track, and monitor movements of suspected illegal activity using military tactical vehicles or foot patrols within zones assigned by CBP. They also allow Department of Defense (DoD) ground mobility support to transport CBP personnel using military tactical vehicles along patrol routes.
Prior to the approval of enhanced detection and monitoring, “detection and monitoring” referred to military members on the southern border maintaining stationary positions to observe and report suspected illegal activity to law enforcement personnel utilizing CBP-provided equipment or handheld observation equipment. Now, DoD service members are granted increased maneuverability within any areas currently patrolled by CBP personnel. The unique military capabilities and equipment such as 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team’s Stryker armored vehicles can be more effectively utilized by Joint Task Force – Southern Border (JTF-SB) while working with CBP to achieve operational control of the border.
“Enhanced detection and monitoring authorities enable units assigned to U.S. Northern Command’s southern border mission to detect, track, and monitor suspected illegal activity with increased mobility and flexibility and with advanced optical sensors,” said Gen. Gregory Guillot, Commander, U.S. Northern Command. “The authority to transport CBP personnel during patrols means law enforcement personnel will be on-hand or nearby to conduct any necessary law enforcement activity.”
Military personnel in a title 10 status may not directly participate in civilian law enforcement activities such as search, seizure, or arrest under the authorities granted by enhanced detection and monitoring. Any law enforcement actions to apprehend individuals suspected of illegal entry must be conducted only by non-DoD law enforcement personal and National Guard personnel in a non-federalized status accompanying these patrols. JTF-SB’s additional training and rehearsals are already occurring to ensure enhanced detection and monitoring is conducted effectively, professionally, and lawfully by all assigned personnel.
USNORTHCOM was named the DoD’s operational lead for the employment of U.S. military forces to carry out President Trump’s southern border Executive Orders. The combatant command continues to fill critical capabilities gaps in support of the Department of Homeland Security and CBP.
-30-
NOTE TO EDITORS: For further information, please contact U.S. Northern Command Public Affairs at (719) 554-6889 or email us at n-ncpa.omb@mail.mil.
Follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram at www.facebook.com/USNORTHCOM, www.x.com/USNorthernCmd, and www.instagram.com/usnortherncmd/.