The Trump administration has ordered thousands more troops to the border. But law enforcement officials and lawmakers from both parties say not much has changed yet — in part because much of the border had a major military and Border Patrol presence already.
“There’s always movement with the military there. So to be honest with you, I can’t tell you if there has been or there hasn’t been” more military in town, said Jose Duran, sergeant at the Eagle Pass Police Department and president of the Eagle Pass Police Association.
Eagle Pass’ heavy military and border agent presence started well before President Donald Trump took office. In January 2024, it was the scene of a political and legal fight between border agents and troops that took control of the city’s Shelby Park, and in May, the state opened a new base there for the National Guard.