Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a warning to unauthorized individuals attempting to enter the U.S. through territories managed by U.S. forces, stating that they will face prosecution.
In a video shared on X, Hegseth revealed that the Department of Defense (DOD) has deployed 2,000 troops to patrol the designated defense areas, indicating that over 1,300 warning signs have been erected in these zones.
“About two weeks ago, we established what we call our first defense region along the border. We were essentially looking at the border in conjunction with military installations,” explained Hegseth. “If you trespass, you’ll be charged.”
“Currently, we have a unit of 2,000 personnel actively monitoring the region,” he added. “The number of signs has exceeded 1,300 in our defense regions, which now includes a second area. This means our internal operational zones are expanding,” he noted.
He further clarified that individuals attempting to cross into the U.S. via these defense areas and causing damage could face serious charges, possibly leading to a “total of ten years in prison.”
“So far, the DOJ has filed charges against over 100 illegal immigrants for these offenses, and that number will likely rise. The number of defense zones is also increasing, along with the barriers. If you violate the law, the Department of Justice will pursue charges to the fullest extent,” he said.
Hegseth’s comments were made following a directive to U.S. forces last month aimed at safeguarding the southern border from illegal entries.
Trump has instructed the U.S. military to “ensure the safety and security of military personnel and federal employees within military operational areas along the southern border.”
President Trump has mandated the troops to “ensure the safety and security of military and other federal personnel in operational areas located on federal lands along the southern borders,” as stated by the Secretary of Defense and other officials.
At the end of April, the Department of Justice announced that it had charged “at least 28 immigrants” for illegally entering the U.S. through military-controlled land.
According to Randy Clark from Breitbart News, U.S. attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico reported “82 new title 50 fee submissions concerning fraudulent entries into the National Defense Region.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced its criminal case filings last Thursday, marking a significant application of the new criminal law. The New Mexico corridor, now considered an extension of the U.S. Army Fort Rison, has heightened military patrols and surveillance, enabling temporary detainment and relocation of individuals to federal authorities for prosecution.
