U.S. establishes new military zone along the border with Mexico

03 May 2025 , 06:45

724     0

U.S. establishes new military zone along the border with Mexico

The number of apprehensions for attempted illegal border crossings into the U.S. in March dropped to the lowest level ever recorded.

U.S. military forces have established a second military zone along the border with Mexico, adding a designated area in Texas where troops can temporarily detain migrants or border violators. Reuters reported this on Friday, May 2.

"The U.S. Armed Forces have announced the formation of the Texas National Defense Zone, covering 63 miles (approximately 101 km) along the border. The zone extends eastward from the Texas–New Mexico state line near the city of El Paso," Reuters reports.

The new zone has been established to allow the Trump administration to deploy military personnel for detaining illegal migrants without invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807, which permits the president to use armed forces in response to domestic unrest.

"Currently, around 11,900 troops are stationed along the U.S.–Mexico border," Reuters notes.

In the event of detentions, military personnel are expected to transfer migrants to Border Patrol agents or other civilian law enforcement authorities.

Previously, in April 2025, the Trump administration announced the creation of a "National Defense Zone" along the base of the state of New Mexico. That zone spans a strip 60 feet (18 meters) wide and 170 miles (approximately 270 km) long.

Sophia Martinez

World Affairs Correspondent