The Pentagon is deploying a sweeping 250-mile military buffer zone along the southern border even as illegal crossings plummet to historic lows under President Trump’s administration.
Key Takeaways
- The Pentagon is establishing two new “National Defense Areas” along the U.S.-Mexico border, creating a total of four military buffer zones that will span 250 miles in Texas and 100 miles in Arizona.
- These zones allow U.S. military personnel to temporarily detain undocumented migrants for trespassing, treating the areas as extensions of military bases.
- Border crossings have reached record lows under the Trump administration, with May recording fewer than 9,000 apprehensions compared to 118,000 during the same period last year under Biden.
- Daily “gotaway” numbers have dramatically decreased from 1,833 under the previous administration to just 46, and no illegal migrants were released into the U.S. in May.
- The military buffer zones will be operated by Joint Task Force-Southern Border under U.S. Northern Command, focusing on detection, monitoring, and supporting barrier installations.
Military Expands Border Protection Despite Record Low Crossings
The Department of Defense is significantly expanding its border security presence by establishing two new military buffer zones along the U.S.-Mexico border. The first zone will cover a 250-mile stretch along the Rio Grande River in Cameron and Hidalgo counties in Texas, becoming part of Joint Base San Antonio. The second will extend for 100 miles in western Arizona, linked to Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma. These additions bring the total number of Pentagon-designated “National Defense Areas” to four, representing a substantial military commitment to border security even as illegal crossings have plummeted.
“The Defense Department is setting up two more military buffer zones along the southwestern U.S. border with Mexico,” the Defense Department stated, highlighting the strategic importance of these designated areas for national security operations.
The zones create a legal framework allowing military personnel to temporarily detain migrants for trespassing, essentially treating these border areas as extensions of U.S. military installations. This approach enables troops to be directly involved in border enforcement without invoking the 1807 Insurrection Act, which would have broader implications for military deployment within U.S. territory. Legal outcomes from similar zones have been mixed, with some migrants pleading guilty to trespassing charges while others have had their cases dismissed.
Trump’s Border Policies Deliver Dramatic Results
The implementation of these new military buffer zones comes at a time when the Trump administration’s border policies have produced remarkable results. From June 1 to June 22, authorities recorded just 5,414 apprehensions and 986 “gotaways,” representing the lowest numbers in recent history. These figures stand in stark contrast to the crisis that unfolded under the previous administration, when border encounters routinely exceeded 100,000 per month. In May alone, apprehensions dropped below 9,000, compared to 118,000 during the same month last year under Biden’s policies.
Perhaps most striking is the reduction in “gotaways” – migrants who evade capture after crossing illegally. The daily average has plummeted from 1,833 under the previous administration to just 46 under President Trump’s leadership. Additionally, May marked a significant milestone as no illegal migrants were released into the United States during the entire month, a stark reversal from the catch-and-release policies that dominated border enforcement in recent years.
“The Air Force said Wednesday that members of the Joint Task Force-Southern Border, under the direction of U.S. Northcom will operate within the zones,” the Air Force announced, detailing how the military will manage these expanded border protection areas.
Military’s Enhanced Role in Border Security
The Joint Task Force-Southern Border, operating under U.S. Northern Command, will manage activities within these newly established buffer zones. Their mission encompasses several critical functions, including detection and monitoring of illegal border crossings, temporary detainment of individuals who enter the zones unlawfully, and providing support for barrier installations and other security infrastructure. By designating these areas as “National Defense Areas,” the Pentagon has created a legal framework that allows military personnel to take a more active role in border enforcement.
This strategic approach reflects the administration’s commitment to maintaining border security even as crossings have declined dramatically. The buffer zones serve as both a deterrent to potential crossers and a mechanism for efficiently deploying military resources to respond to any attempted incursions. While some legal experts have questioned aspects of the military’s expanded role at the border, the administration has emphasized that these measures are necessary to prevent any resurgence in illegal migration and to maintain the significant progress already achieved.
