The Trump administration has instructed two intelligence agencies to focus their satellite surveillance resources on the U.S.-Mexico border as part of a larger initiative to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), which are part of the Department of Defense and handle satellite oversight, are tasked with monitoring and analyzing imagery for the Pentagon and other intelligence bodies.
This involvement, combined with troop deployments, reflects the growing militarization of the southern border, which President Trump has designated as a national emergency.
Reuters was unable to determine if the effort, which has not been reported before, will involve collecting imagery of U.S. soil.
In response to questions about their roles in border surveillance, the NGA explained it had set up a task force to coordinate its “support to the U.S. border mission,” while the NRO confirmed its partnership with the intelligence community and Pentagon “to secure U.S. borders.”
These actions align with Trump’s sweeping executive orders aimed at curbing illegal border crossings and trafficking, as well as deporting unauthorized residents—whose number is estimated to be as high as 14 million.
Neither the White House nor the Defense Department responded to requests for comment. Immigration enforcement was a central issue in Trump’s presidential campaign, which ultimately led to his election on January 20.
Although artificial intelligence and drones have been employed at the border for years, this new initiative represents an effort to apply military technologies typically used in overseas conflict zones to U.S. border security.
Sources familiar with the plan noted that the government may use AI to analyze satellite images and other data streams, helping to identify persons or objects of interest, similar to how the Defense Department employs these tools in military operations.
While the full extent of this initiative is unclear, experts have pointed out that the increased focus on border surveillance could compel the administration to address concerns about gathering intelligence on U.S. citizens.
U.S. spy agencies are generally prohibited from surveilling citizens and legal residents, but they are allowed to conduct physical searches “within a reasonable distance from any external boundary of the United States.” This is defined as 100 air miles from the border, encompassing cities such as San Diego and El Paso.
“If they follow the law, these agencies should only collect on the other side of the border in foreign territory,” said Paul Rosenzweig, a national security and privacy law expert. “But how they implement that, and if they do, are legitimate oversight questions.”
A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence assured Reuters that all intelligence operations are “legal and authorized” and are conducted “in a manner that protects the civil liberties and privacy of U.S. persons.”
The NGA and NRO chose not to provide specifics about the surveillance they are conducting, nor whether it includes U.S. territory, citing the need to safeguard operational details. The NGA is involved in a wide range of activities, including Earth mapping and providing critical location data to military leaders.
It remains unclear if any other U.S. intelligence agencies are involved in the initiative. The Central Intelligence Agency does not engage in domestic immigration enforcement. “Once foreign criminals are inside the United States, they are not within the purview of the CIA,” a third source noted.
The Trump administration has placed greater emphasis on border security within its national intelligence priorities, allowing more resources to be allocated to the effort, according to one source.
In a separate report released Tuesday, the U.S. intelligence community listed transnational criminal organizations, such as drug cartels, as one of the top national security threats, placing them ahead of concerns regarding North Korea, Iran, and other foreign adversaries.
Additionally, the National Security Council, which advises the president on defense and foreign policy matters, has been receiving daily updates on immigration detention numbers, including data on unaccompanied children, according to internal government documents reviewed by Reuters.
Various defense contractors, both established and newer companies, are in discussions with government agencies to support border security efforts, building upon existing contracts, said two sources familiar with the plans.
These contractors will need to navigate legal issues, including implementing security policies that prevent unlawful surveillance of U.S. citizens, the sources added.
Industry software could link sensor towers with satellite and drone video feeds that monitor vulnerable areas, with AI then identifying potential leads for authorities, the sources explained.
The goal is to create a “digital wall” to complement the physical border infrastructure, one source noted.
For example, Palantir, a data analytics company, supports the Pentagon’s Maven Smart System via contracts valued at approximately $580 million. Maven integrates data and utilizes AI to expedite target identification for intelligence analysts. Palantir has also worked with the Department of Homeland Security for years.
Anduril, a defense technology startup, manufactures sensor towers and related software. The company announced last fall that it had deployed 300 autonomous sensor towers for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, capable of detecting and tracking objects using radar and other technology.
Recently, Palantir, Anduril, Elon Musk’s SpaceX, and other newer contractors have discussed forming a consortium to bid on U.S. defense contracts, aiming to outbid more traditional contractors in Washington, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.
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