Vice President JD Vance Highlights Border Security Progress During Texas Visit

Vance's trip to Eagle Pass underscores the administration's focus on reducing illegal crossings and drug trafficking through a multi-agency approach.

Vice President JD Vance visited the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to assess progress on border security efforts.
Vance announced a sharp decline in illegal border crossings, with daily apprehensions dropping from 1,500 to 30 in some areas, and highlighted an 85% reduction in migrant deaths at the border.
The administration has deployed 6,500 additional active-duty troops to assist with border monitoring and has implemented executive orders to resume border wall construction and designate drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
Vance emphasized that border security is being treated as a national intelligence and defense priority, expanding efforts beyond the Department of Homeland Security to include multiple federal agencies.
The vice president noted ongoing challenges, including rebuilding immigration enforcement systems weakened under the previous administration, while stressing the importance of Mexico's sustained cooperation in addressing cartels and migration issues.