The US Defense Department is expanding its efforts to secure the southern border by establishing two new military zones along the Mexico-US border, according to defense officials.
Designated areas will be established in Arizona and southern Texas, with one zone becoming part of the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, and the other a part of Joint Base San Antonio in Texas. The Pentagon’s move is aimed at further curbing unlawful migrant crossings and maintaining national security.
The decision was made by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who directed the secretaries of the Air Force and Navy to take necessary action to establish National Defense Areas along the border. A defense official stated that these areas will enhance the Department of Defense’s authority to secure the US southern border from unlawful entry and maintain national sovereignty.
The two new zones are in addition to two existing military-designated areas established by the Pentagon earlier this year, also located in Texas and New Mexico. Within these designated areas, military personnel have the authority to take custody of migrants who cross the border illegally until they can be transferred to civilian authorities within the Department of Homeland Security.
Source: The Hill
