Southern Border National Emergency — Military Deployed; Title 8 Enforcement Maximized

On his first day, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, invoking Title 8 expedited removal authorities and deploying active-duty military personnel to assist CBP. The administration reinstated 'Remain in Mexico' (MPP), suspended asylum processing, and ended CBP One app appointments for migrants. Encounters at the southern border dropped dramatically in early 2025 as enforcement intensified and smuggling networks adapted. The military deployment drew scrutiny from legal experts citing the Posse Comitatus Act.