WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration has ordered two intelligence agencies to use their spy satellites to monitor the U.S.-Mexico border as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration and drug cartels.

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), both part of the Department of Defense, oversee these satellites and analyze images for the Pentagon. Their involvement, along with troop deployments, signals an increasing military focus on border security.

Reuters could not confirm if these satellites will capture images of U.S. territory. The NGA stated that it created a task force to support the border mission, while the NRO reported that it is working with intelligence and defense agencies to secure U.S. borders.

This initiative follows executive actions by Trump aimed at stopping illegal border crossings and deporting undocumented immigrants, estimated at up to 14 million people. The White House and Pentagon did not comment.

The U.S. has used artificial intelligence and drone surveillance at the border for years, but this effort expands military-grade surveillance tools typically used in war zones. AI can help identify people or objects of interest by analyzing satellite images, much like battlefield intelligence gathering.

However, the initiative raises legal concerns. U.S. laws generally limit intelligence agencies from spying on citizens, though immigration authorities can conduct searches within 100 miles of the border. Experts question how the administration will ensure compliance with these laws.

The Trump administration has prioritized border security as a top national security concern, allocating additional resources to the issue. A recent government report ranked drug cartels as a significant national security threat, even above North Korea and Iran.

Meanwhile, defense contractors, including Palantir and Anduril, are working with government agencies on border security technology. Some companies are exploring AI-powered surveillance systems and a "digital wall" to enhance physical barriers.

Palantir, which provides AI-driven data analysis for the Pentagon, and Anduril, which builds sensor towers for border monitoring, have discussed forming a consortium with SpaceX and other firms to compete for defense contracts.