Shumita Basu

Last week, a federal judge ruled that he didn't have the authority to block the administration's downsizing attempts, saying this is an employment dispute that must follow a different legal process. Just days into his presidency, Donald Trump began sending active duty troops to the southern border to stop incoming migrants from crossing illegally.

Last week, a federal judge ruled that he didn't have the authority to block the administration's downsizing attempts, saying this is an employment dispute that must follow a different legal process. Just days into his presidency, Donald Trump began sending active duty troops to the southern border to stop incoming migrants from crossing illegally.

According to the Defense Department, roughly 3,600 service members have been deployed. So The Washington Post's Arelis Hernandez traveled to the Texas town of Del Rio to see it for herself.

According to the Defense Department, roughly 3,600 service members have been deployed. So The Washington Post's Arelis Hernandez traveled to the Texas town of Del Rio to see it for herself.

According to the Defense Department, roughly 3,600 service members have been deployed. So The Washington Post's Arelis Hernandez traveled to the Texas town of Del Rio to see it for herself.

The reason locals are asking that question is the border has been incredibly quiet lately.

The reason locals are asking that question is the border has been incredibly quiet lately.

The reason locals are asking that question is the border has been incredibly quiet lately.

Agents that patrol this part of the border say they're apprehending fewer than 50 people a day. That's a major drop from 2023, when agents were stopping closer to 5,000 people a day.

Agents that patrol this part of the border say they're apprehending fewer than 50 people a day. That's a major drop from 2023, when agents were stopping closer to 5,000 people a day.

Agents that patrol this part of the border say they're apprehending fewer than 50 people a day. That's a major drop from 2023, when agents were stopping closer to 5,000 people a day.

One reason is because Mexico has been cracking down more heavily on migrant caravans trying to cross through Mexico into the U.S. The other big reason is because under President Biden, the asylum rules changed. Then when Trump took office, he declared an emergency and effectively closed off the border. What that means is that border crossings are way down.

One reason is because Mexico has been cracking down more heavily on migrant caravans trying to cross through Mexico into the U.S. The other big reason is because under President Biden, the asylum rules changed. Then when Trump took office, he declared an emergency and effectively closed off the border. What that means is that border crossings are way down.

One reason is because Mexico has been cracking down more heavily on migrant caravans trying to cross through Mexico into the U.S. The other big reason is because under President Biden, the asylum rules changed. Then when Trump took office, he declared an emergency and effectively closed off the border. What that means is that border crossings are way down.

In fact, Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks told CBS News last week that unlawful crossings at the southern border are down 94 percent from the same period last year. Things are so quiet that many Texas migrant shelters are close to empty. In one county along the border, a local sheriff told the Post they are back to, quote, getting cats out of trees and helping little old ladies with their groceries.

In fact, Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks told CBS News last week that unlawful crossings at the southern border are down 94 percent from the same period last year. Things are so quiet that many Texas migrant shelters are close to empty. In one county along the border, a local sheriff told the Post they are back to, quote, getting cats out of trees and helping little old ladies with their groceries.

In fact, Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks told CBS News last week that unlawful crossings at the southern border are down 94 percent from the same period last year. Things are so quiet that many Texas migrant shelters are close to empty. In one county along the border, a local sheriff told the Post they are back to, quote, getting cats out of trees and helping little old ladies with their groceries.

At the same time, the number of troops at the border has surged. Between America's deployment of troops and Mexico's deployment of 10,000 more, there's roughly one soldier or officer for every migrant trying to cross each month. Now locals told Hernandez they are happy to have active duty troops in town. They're good for the economy. At least two hotels are sold out.

At the same time, the number of troops at the border has surged. Between America's deployment of troops and Mexico's deployment of 10,000 more, there's roughly one soldier or officer for every migrant trying to cross each month. Now locals told Hernandez they are happy to have active duty troops in town. They're good for the economy. At least two hotels are sold out.

At the same time, the number of troops at the border has surged. Between America's deployment of troops and Mexico's deployment of 10,000 more, there's roughly one soldier or officer for every migrant trying to cross each month. Now locals told Hernandez they are happy to have active duty troops in town. They're good for the economy. At least two hotels are sold out.