After surging troops to the border, US military showcases a quieter Rio Grande - Now Georgia

As the U.S. has surged additional troops to the Rio Grande, Army Lt. Col. Ray Richards points to a stretch near Roma, Texas where illegal crossings that were once frequent are now noticeably quiet. American forces are deploying hundreds more this month by shifting some of the thousands already stationed along the roughly 2,000-mile border. U.S. officials say the move follows signs of increased activity from drug cartels and comes with greater Mexican military cooperation. The Coast Guard reported encountering gunfire from the Mexican side and the U.S. responded. Some experts question the timing, suggesting the surge is more political messaging than strategy because much smuggling occurs at ports of entry.