Several senators told Army leaders they were deeply concerned about plans reported to move more than 10,000 active‑duty soldiers to the southern border and an administration request that could place up to 20,000 National Guard members on interior immigration enforcement tasks.

Ranking Member Senator Reid told the panel he was “very skeptical of the administration's deployment of more than 10,000 soldiers to the southern border,” and said soldiers’ training and readiness have already been affected by border missions. Senators Shaheen and Hirono cited a Department of Homeland Security memo seeking Guard personnel for investigative and canvassing missions and asked who would pay and under what authorities those troops would operate.

Secretary Driscoll and Chief of Staff George said they had received requests and were working through planning details. Driscoll told the committee that the Army has been asked to provide soldiers for missions and that “we are...prepared to respond to emergencies,” but that specific accounting and reimbursable authorities would require follow‑up. When asked whether Guard personnel would be used for core law‑enforcement tasks such as arrests and detentions, witnesses repeatedly said they had not seen operational details that would direct such tasks and said legal limits—including Title 10 and other authorities—govern employment of military personnel.

Senators urged the Army to provide clearer cost estimates, state sourcing, and legal explanations for any proposed domestic employment of soldiers and Guard members—and several urged that the Department of Homeland Security bear the cost if Homeland Security tasks are requested.

Ending: Army officials pledged to follow up with the committee on costs, funding accounts and a more detailed description of the missions and constraints that would govern any deployment to interior immigration enforcement.