Last week, U.S. forces began detaining immigrants along the southern border as part of a new initiative targeting individuals trespassing in designated National Defense Areas.
President Trump has recently identified Fort Hancock, Texas, as one of these areas, which also includes regions bordering New Mexico.
According to U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Chad Campbell, three individuals were apprehended near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. They are currently under the authority of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, facing prosecution for illegal entry as well as trespassing under the administration’s new policies.
In a bid to reduce illegal immigration, the Department of Defense has been ordered to oversee border operations in these defense areas, which were previously managed by the Department of the Interior.
“It’s apparent that there are additional defense areas at the southern border,” remarked Jeffrey Carmichael, a spokesperson for the Southern Border Enforcement Task Force. He indicated that the specifics of these areas aren’t widely known.
Despite clear signage indicating the National Defense Area within a 100-meter radius, some judges in New Mexico and Texas have dismissed national security charges against individuals in these militarized zones, citing a lack of awareness about the new designations.
Justin Simmons, a U.S. attorney for Western Texas, stated that they will proceed with the NDA charges, emphasizing, “We may win some, but at the end of the day, if you enter this country illegally, you will not be allowed to stay.”
The recent arrests come amid a broader push by the Trump administration against undocumented immigrants, which is likely to spark protests nationwide. The president has also called on the National Guard and Marines to prevent unrest during detention and removal operations in Los Angeles.
