President Donald Trump recently authorized the U.S. military to take jurisdiction over federal lands along the southern border with Mexico. This decision was outlined in a memorandum titled “Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions.” The directive allows the Department of Defense to oversee specific federal lands, including the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide strip of land spanning California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
The lands designated for military control are referred to as “National Defense Areas.” This move aims to bolster immigration enforcement by enabling military activities such as border-barrier construction and the deployment of monitoring equipment. Migrants crossing these areas could face more severe legal consequences, as they would be trespassing on military installations.
Trump’s memorandum emphasizes the administration’s view of immigration as an “invasion” and highlights the complexity of threats at the southern border. Despite a significant drop in illegal border crossings in recent months, the administration continues to expand military presence in the region.
Critics argue that this decision is an abuse of military power and a distraction from other pressing issues, such as economic challenges stemming from recent tariff policies. Some lawmakers have expressed concerns about the implications of militarizing federal lands and their impact on immigration enforcement.
This policy reflects Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which has included measures like deploying troops to the border and accelerating border wall construction. The administration’s actions have sparked debate over the balance between national security and humanitarian considerations.
Source: El Universal
