Pentagon Creates New 250-Mile Military Buffer Zone At Texas–Mexico Border

The US Department of Defense is establishing a new military buffer zone, known as a national defense area, along the southwestern border to curb illegal immigration. The 250-mile stretch of the border along the Rio Grande in Texas's Cameron and Hidalgo counties will be designated an extension of Joint Base San Antonio. This move is part of President Donald Trump's broader strategy to allocate military resources for border enforcement. The national defense area designation grants limited legal authority for specific actions, including setting up barriers and signs, conducting patrols, and temporarily detaining trespassers. The first national defense area was designated in April in New Mexico, and another was set up in West Texas in May. The total area under national defense area designation now exceeds 480 miles. A federal judge recently dismissed trespassing charges against 98 illegal immigrants who had been arrested inside the New Mexico national defense area, citing that the government failed to prove the accused individuals knew they were entering a restricted military zone. The judge's decision dismissed two misdemeanor charges, but a third charge of illegal border crossing still stands. At least 60 individuals have pleaded guilty to illegally entering a national defense area in a separate case related to West Texas. The establishment of national defense areas is a military mission aimed at sealing the southern border of the United States and repelling invaders. The Department of Defense is expected to continue designating more national defense areas along the border.