U.S. military granted unprecedented powers to detain migrants on New Mexico border, marking a dramatic shift in how America secures its southern frontier.
Quick Takes
- A 60-foot-wide strip along New Mexico’s border with Mexico has been designated as military territory under Arizona’s Fort Huachuca
- U.S. Northern Command has been authorized to search, detain, and hand over illegal immigrants to Border Patrol and law enforcement
- The new National Defense Area spans over 170 miles in New Mexico, with plans to add 90+ miles in Texas
- Military personnel will conduct enhanced surveillance operations including vehicle and foot patrols
- This represents a significant expansion of military authority in immigration enforcement
Military Takes Unprecedented Role in Border Security
The U.S. Northern Command announced Monday a policy that grants U.S. military forces temporary detention authority over migrants in a newly designated New Mexico National Defense Area. This development represents a substantial expansion of military involvement in border security operations. The designation transfers a 60-foot-wide zone of land along the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico to become part of Arizona’s Fort Huachuca, effectively turning this strip of border land into military territory and granting soldiers broader authority to intercept those crossing illegally.
The enhanced authority stems from President Trump’s executive order transferring control of the Roosevelt Reservation area from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Defense on April 11. This transfer included nearly 110,000 acres of federal land, granted to the Army for a three-year period specifically to support Border Patrol operations. The move represents a strategic shift in how the administration is addressing what it considers a national security crisis at the southern border.
🚨 BREAKING: TRUMP JUST TURNED THE BORDER INTO A MILITARY ZONE 🚨
The game has changed.
President Trump has just authorized the U.S. MILITARY to take control of federal land along the southern border.
→ 60 feet wide.
→ Stretching across California, Arizona & New Mexico.
→… pic.twitter.com/DJt2IsVvUh— Jim Ferguson (@JimFergusonUK) April 12, 2025
New Authorities and Operations
Under the new designation, military personnel stationed in the New Mexico National Defense Area can now search and detain individuals crossing illegally, provide medical assistance when needed, and implement crowd control measures until law enforcement authorities arrive. The Joint Task Force-Southern Border will conduct enhanced detection and monitoring operations that include vehicle and foot patrols, rotary wing operations, and fixed surveillance site operations – all aimed at increasing border security effectiveness.
“Through these enhanced authorities, U.S. Northern Command will ensure those who illegally trespass in the New Mexico National Defense Area are handed over to Customs and Border Protection or our other law enforcement partners. Joint Task Force-Southern Border will conduct enhanced detection and monitoring, which will include vehicle and foot patrols, rotary wing, and fixed surveillance site operations,” said Gen. Gregory Guillot, USNORTHCOM commander.
Additionally, task force members may assist with establishing temporary barriers, signage, and fencing along the border area. This comprehensive approach aims to create a more robust and responsive security presence in an area that has seen significant illegal crossings. Military personnel will work alongside Customs and Border Protection officers, supplementing their efforts rather than replacing civilian law enforcement.
Expanding Defense Areas
The Trump administration has signaled that this New Mexico initiative is just the beginning of a broader border security strategy that will eventually include additional territory in Texas. The current national defense area spans more than 170 miles along New Mexico’s border with Mexico. White House officials have made it clear that this represents a serious commitment to utilizing military resources to address illegal immigration concerns.
“Last week, President Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum directing federal agencies administering federal land on the border to make land available to the Defense Department in a new national defense area. … This new national defense area spans more than 170 miles across our border in New Mexico. But in the coming weeks, this administration will add more than 90 miles in the state of Texas,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
This approach marks a significant departure from traditional limitations on military involvement in civilian law enforcement matters. Historically, such involvement has been restricted to prevent militarization of domestic policing. The designation of specific areas as military territory creates a legal framework that allows for expanded military authority while maintaining separation from broader civilian law enforcement activities. Border security experts note that the success of this initiative will depend on close coordination between military and civilian agencies.
