President Donald Trump has established two new National Defense Areas along the U.S.-Mexico border as part of his administration's enhanced border security measures.
According to NewsNation, the White House has designated militarized zones in New Mexico and Texas, bypassing traditional Congressional approval through a national emergency declaration made at the start of his presidency.
The creation of these defense areas marks a significant shift in border control strategy, allowing federal troops to detain individuals who enter the zones and conduct searches. The move comes as part of Trump's broader border policy changes implemented during his first 100 days in office, which include classifying certain cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and utilizing the Alien Enemies Act for deportations.
The Pentagon has added a 200-mile section of the New Mexico-Mexico border to Fort Huachuca in Arizona, designating it as the New Mexico National Defense Area. Since the area was established, 28 migrants have been charged for entering the restricted zone without permission.
The Department of Defense also announced a second restricted area, called the El Paso National Defense Area, which will be linked to Fort Bliss. However, officials have not yet outlined the specific limits of this zone.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underscored the seriousness of these installations, warning that anyone crossing into these areas will be stopped by U.S. military personnel and border agents working in coordination.
The American Civil Liberties Union has voiced strong opposition to the military's expanded role in border enforcement. Civil rights advocates argue that the presence of armed forces in civilian law enforcement violates fundamental constitutional principles.
Rebecca Sheff of the ACLU of New Mexico expressed her organization's position:
As New Mexicans, we have deep concerns about the enhanced militarization of our borderlands communities. The expansion of military detention powers represents a dangerous erosion of the constitutional principle that the military should not be policing civilians.
Legal experts point out that these defense areas typically require Congressional authorization. However, Trump's emergency declaration has provided his administration with the authority to establish these zones unilaterally.
The U.S. Northern Command views the establishment of these zones as crucial for enhancing border security operations. General Gregory Guillot, who leads the command, emphasizes that the additional defense area strengthens their ability to prevent unauthorized border crossings.
Border patrol agents will work alongside military personnel to monitor these designated zones. The cooperation between civilian and military forces represents an unprecedented approach to border security enforcement. The arrangement allows troops to provide medical assistance to detainees when necessary, though their primary role focuses on detection and apprehension of individuals entering the restricted areas.
The Trump administration has implemented two National Defense Areas along the southern border, creating militarized zones in New Mexico and Texas. These installations, operating under Fort Huachuca and Fort Bliss, respectively, allow federal troops to detain individuals and conduct searches within the designated areas.
The controversial measure has drawn support from border security advocates while facing criticism from civil rights organizations concerned about military involvement in civilian law enforcement. As these defense areas continue operations, their impact on migration patterns and constitutional rights remains a subject of intense debate.
