The Defense Department is setting up two more military buffer zones along the southwestern U.S. border with Mexico. That brings to four the number of “National Defense Areas” where U.S. military personnel can temporarily detain undocumented migrants for trespassing on what are now considered to be extensions of U.S. military bases.
Role of U.S. Military in Buffer Zones
U.S. military personnel operating in the buffer zones do not carry out law enforcement duties, but they can temporarily detain any trespassers, as they would at any military base, until they are transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel.
Newly Established Zones
The Air Force announced in a news release Wednesday that a 250-mile stretch of the border in Texas, along the Rio Grande River in Cameron and Hidalgo counties, will be transferred from the International Boundary and Water Commission and be considered a part of Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
Another buffer zone will be established in western Arizona and will be considered a part of Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, according to a U.S. official.
MORE: To stop migrants, US Army to take control of some of border with Mexico
The Marine Corps has not yet formally made an announcement about the establishment of the new National Defense Area attached to the Yuma installation, which the official said would extend for 100 miles.
Previously Established Zones
The Pentagon had earlier established two other National Defense Areas:
Texas National Defense Area – 63 miles, attached to Fort Bliss, Texas
New Mexico National Defense Area – 170 miles, attached to Fort Huachuca, Arizona
Joint Task Force Operations
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.
Their responsibilities include:
Enhanced detection and monitoring through stationary positions and mobile patrols
Temporarily detaining trespassers until they are transferred to appropriate law enforcement authorities
Supporting the installation of temporary barriers and signage to secure the area
Legal Developments
Last month, a federal judge dismissed trespassing charges against 98 undocumented immigrants who were arrested in one of the National Defense Areas in New Mexico. The judge ruled that the federal government had failed to demonstrate the individuals knew they were entering a restricted zone.
As of mid-May, the Justice Department reported that 60 people had pleaded guilty to charges stemming from illegally entering the National Defense Area in western Texas.
