Mexico US Border

A U.S. Border Patrol patrol along the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, near the Paso del Norte International Bridge, seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026.

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Pentagon let CBP use anti-drone laser before FAA closed El Paso airspace, AP sources say

Pentagon let CBP use anti-drone laser before FAA closed El Paso airspace, AP sources say

The Pentagon allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use an anti-drone laser earlier this week, leading the Federal Aviation Administration to suddenly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas. That's according to two people familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The confusing arc of events began as the FAA announced it was shutting down all flight traffic Wednesday over the city on the U.S.-Mexico border for 10 days. That stranded some travelers, but the closure ended up only lasting a couple of hours. The Trump administration said the closure stemmed from the FAA and Pentagon working to halt an incursion by Mexican cartel drones.