U.S. military forces have been granted unprecedented authority to detain illegal immigrants crossing the southern border in New Mexico, marking a significant shift in America’s approach to border security and immigration enforcement.
Key Takeaways
- Military personnel can now detain, search, and implement crowd control measures against individuals illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in designated areas.
- Nearly 110,000 acres of federal land have been transferred from the Department of Interior to the Army for border security operations.
- A 60-foot-wide strip along the border in New Mexico has been reclassified as part of Arizona’s Fort Huachuca military installation.
- The initiative will expand to include more than 90 miles in Texas in coming weeks.
- Over 10,000 service members are currently deployed to support border security operations.
Expanded Military Authority at the Border
The U.S. Northern Command announced that military personnel can now detain individuals illegally crossing the border on recently designated federal lands in New Mexico. This authority applies to service members within the Joint Task Force-Southern Border operating in the New Mexico National Defense Area (NMNDA), which is now officially part of Fort Huachuca. The 60-foot-wide strip runs along the U.S.-Mexico border and represents a significant expansion of military jurisdiction over what was previously Department of Interior land.
President Trump formalized this policy change through a memorandum transferring control of the Roosevelt Reservation area to the Department of Defense. Beyond detention authority, military personnel can now conduct searches, provide medical assistance, implement crowd control measures, and assist with establishing temporary barriers and fencing until law enforcement arrives. This represents a substantial shift in the military’s role in civilian affairs, traditionally limited to prevent militarization of domestic policing.
🇺🇸 Fox News: US military personnel in a New Mexico National Defense Area near the southern border can now temporarily detain & search illegal migrants. This shifts their role beyond traditional support, allowing detention of trespassers until law enforcement arrives. pic.twitter.com/UKLx7wA4BH
— Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) April 21, 2025
Strategic Land Transfers and Border Security
The Department of the Interior has transferred nearly 110,000 acres of federal land to the Army for a three-year period to support Border Patrol operations. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the new national defense area spans more than 170 miles across the border in New Mexico, with plans to add more than 90 miles in Texas in coming weeks. This substantial commitment of land resources demonstrates the administration’s prioritization of border security concerns.
Currently, over 10,000 service members are deployed along the southern border to support Customs and Border Protection operations. U.S. Northern Command Commander General Gregory Guillot has emphasized that the military will ensure that those who illegally trespass in the designated areas will be handed over to law enforcement partners. This coordinated approach aims to strengthen detection and monitoring capabilities in critical border regions.
Implementation and Operational Impact
The expanded military role includes specific operational authorities within the newly designated defense areas. Service members can implement a range of security measures previously unavailable to them, including detaining trespassers, conducting searches for illegal crossers, and coordinating with Border Patrol units. The Department of Defense’s southern border operations are estimated to cost nearly $1 billion over an eight-month period, reflecting the substantial resources being allocated to this initiative.
Border security efforts are also advancing through other complementary measures. The administration has issued a waiver to expedite border wall construction in southern California, bypassing environmental laws to speed up the construction of 2.5 miles of barrier outside San Diego. These initiatives appear to be having an impact, as Border Patrol has reported a significant drop in apprehensions of illegal immigrants compared to March 2024 levels, suggesting the enhanced security posture may be deterring illegal crossings.
Sources:
Military Given Power to Detain Immigrants on U.S.-Mexico Border
US Troops Given Authority To Detain Illegal Immigrants
