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DOD says troop deployments and Guantanamo housing have helped seal southern border; civilian agencies remain lead
Summary
At a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Defense leaders described a surge of Title 10 forces, use of Guantanamo Bay for selected detainees and an ongoing support role for DHS, citing a sharp drop in illegal crossings and outlining cost and legal constraints.
Chairman Mike Rogers convened the House Armed Services Committee to begin fiscal 2026 posture hearings and pressed Department of Defense witnesses on the department's role at the southern border.
Rafael Leonardo, performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs, told the committee the DOD has supported Department of Homeland Security efforts to "seal our border" and reported that the department’s accounting so far for its support is $376,000,000. He said the department has deployed roughly 6,700 Title 10 active‑duty personnel to the border and has ordered as many as 10,000 in place or en route.
The hearing clarified roles and legal limits. Leonardo and General Greg Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command and NORAD, emphasized that DHS remains the lead federal agency and that DOD forces perform detection, monitoring and support missions rather than law enforcement.…
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