US Military to Establish Two New Border Zones for Migrant Detention
New military zones aimed at enhancing US border security and facilitating the temporary detention of migrants.
The Pentagon is set to establish two new military zones along the US-Mexico border, marking a strategic move by President Donald Trump's administration to bolster national security measures.
These zones, which cover approximately 250 miles of the Rio Grande river in Texas and parts of Arizona, will serve as designated areas where troops can temporarily detain migrants or trespassers without invoking the 1807 Insurrection Act.
This action represents an extension of existing military presence at Joint Base San Antonio and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
According to US officials, these new zones are intended to provide a legal framework for the military to engage in migrant detention operations under specific circumstances, although their effectiveness as a deterrent remains mixed.
While federal magistrate judges have dismissed trespassing charges against some migrants on grounds of unawareness about the restricted areas, there have been successful prosecutions, including around 120 individuals pleading guilty to trespassing in the first Texas zone and two recent convictions in New Mexico.
The deployment of approximately 11,900 troops along the border reflects a broader effort by the Trump administration to curb undocumented immigration.
This strategy has contributed to a record-low number of unauthorized border crossings following measures such as the shutdown of asylum claims in 2024 and enhanced Mexican immigration controls.
The establishment of these zones underscores the ongoing efforts to secure the US-Mexico border amidst heightened political attention on immigration issues.
These zones, which cover approximately 250 miles of the Rio Grande river in Texas and parts of Arizona, will serve as designated areas where troops can temporarily detain migrants or trespassers without invoking the 1807 Insurrection Act.
This action represents an extension of existing military presence at Joint Base San Antonio and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
According to US officials, these new zones are intended to provide a legal framework for the military to engage in migrant detention operations under specific circumstances, although their effectiveness as a deterrent remains mixed.
While federal magistrate judges have dismissed trespassing charges against some migrants on grounds of unawareness about the restricted areas, there have been successful prosecutions, including around 120 individuals pleading guilty to trespassing in the first Texas zone and two recent convictions in New Mexico.
The deployment of approximately 11,900 troops along the border reflects a broader effort by the Trump administration to curb undocumented immigration.
This strategy has contributed to a record-low number of unauthorized border crossings following measures such as the shutdown of asylum claims in 2024 and enhanced Mexican immigration controls.
The establishment of these zones underscores the ongoing efforts to secure the US-Mexico border amidst heightened political attention on immigration issues.
