U.S. troops have detained illegal immigrants for the first time in newly designated military zones along the southern border, marking a significant expansion of military authority in immigration enforcement.
At a Glance
- U.S. Army troops have begun detaining illegal immigrants in designated military zones along the southern border
- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has designated approximately 260 miles of the Texas and New Mexico border as military zones
- Three illegal immigrants were detained near Santa Teresa, New Mexico and handed over to Border Patrol
- U.S. troops have detected approximately 390 illegal border crossings in these military zones
- This initiative represents a significant shift in military involvement in domestic border enforcement
Military Begins Border Detention Operations
U.S. Army troops have made their first detentions of illegal immigrants in newly designated military zones along the southern border. The detentions occurred near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, where three individuals illegally crossing the border were intercepted by military personnel and subsequently transferred to U.S. Border Patrol custody. This action represents the first implementation of expanded military authority in immigration enforcement under a recent executive directive signed by President Donald Trump.
The directive, which took effect on June 3, authorizes U.S. troops to conduct security operations within designated areas along approximately 260 miles of the Texas and New Mexico border. These areas are now considered extensions of U.S. Army bases, giving military personnel the authority to detain trespassers, including illegal immigrants, who enter these zones. The U.S. Northern Command has specifically authorized troops to conduct security operations and temporarily detain individuals until law enforcement can take custody.
Scope of Military Authority
Under the new directive, U.S. Northern Command has been “delegated the authority and directed to conduct installation security support operations” within the designated National Defense Areas. This authority includes the ability to “temporarily detain trespassers on the NMNDA until an appropriate law enforcement entity can assume custody.” Military personnel are also authorized to conduct cursory searches to ensure safety during these detainment operations.
While detention capabilities represent a significant expansion of military authority, the primary role of troops in these zones remains detection and tracking of illegal border crossings. Since the implementation of the directive, U.S. troops have detected approximately 390 illegal border crossings in these military zones. The designation of these areas as extensions of military installations effectively creates a legal framework that permits more direct military involvement in border security operations.
— Federation for American Immigration Reform (@FAIRImmigration) April 25, 2025
Strategic Implications
The designation of border areas as military zones represents a strategic shift in border security policy. By transforming sections of the border into areas under military jurisdiction, the administration has created a mechanism to utilize military resources for immigration enforcement without violating long-standing prohibitions against using the military for domestic law enforcement. These prohibitions, primarily stemming from the Posse Comitatus Act, have historically limited direct military involvement in immigration matters.
The new approach treats unauthorized border crossings not just as immigration violations but as security breaches of military installations. This classification allows for a different set of legal authorities to come into play. The directive affects approximately 260 miles of border territory across Texas and New Mexico, areas that have seen significant illegal crossing activity in recent years. Military personnel operating in these zones are now empowered with detention authority, though they remain in a supporting role to Border Patrol and other immigration enforcement agencies.
Future Outlook
The detention of illegal immigrants by U.S. troops represents the beginning of what could become a more expansive military role in border security operations. While current operations have resulted in the detention of only three individuals, the detection of nearly 400 illegal crossings suggests the potential scale of military involvement could grow. The administration has indicated this approach is part of a broader strategy to utilize all available resources, including military capabilities, to address illegal immigration.
As this policy continues to be implemented, questions remain about the long-term implications for both military operations and immigration enforcement. The use of military zones effectively creates a new paradigm for border security that blends military and law enforcement functions in ways not previously seen in modern U.S. border operations. This approach reflects the administration’s commitment to unconventional tactics in addressing illegal immigration and may signal further integration of military resources into domestic security operations.
