The move from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services comes as deportations increase.

Big Bend area officials say the U.S. military has in recent weeks discussed the possibility of housing 200-300 troops at small county-owned airports near Marfa and Presidio, though the county’s top elected official says the idea is “not etched in stone.”

The state opened the facility in Jim Hogg County in 2022.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Friday that military personnel will be sent to Border Patrol stations in Alpine, Van Horn and Presidio to “assist agents with surveillance, intelligence gathering and logistical support.”