The “Texas National Defense Area” becomes the second military-controlled zone on the U.S.–Mexico border, intensifying enforcement measures under Trump.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

The U.S. government has created a second military reserve along the southern border, establishing a new enforcement perimeter amid record-low illegal crossings under the Trump administration.

The newly designated “Texas National Defense Area,” announced Thursday, will span 63 miles eastward from El Paso, covering critical border terrain between Texas and New Mexico. It follows the formation last month of a restricted military corridor within the Roosevelt Reservation—a 60-foot-wide strip of federal land that extends from California through Arizona and into New Mexico.

Under the new policy, over 100,000 acres of federal borderland were transferred to the Department of the Interior on April 15, placing them under military jurisdiction for three years. The transition grants authorities enhanced power to arrest and remove individuals who enter these zones unlawfully.

Military enforcement within the Roosevelt Reservation has already led to the prosecution of 82 individuals for “violations of security regulations” and unauthorized entry into a “restricted and controlled” military area.

“Any illegal attempting to enter that zone is entering a military base—a federal, protected area,” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated in a video released April 25. “You will be detained. You will be interdicted by U.S. troops and Border Patrol working together.”

“If you have attempted to evade, that’s evading law enforcement, just like you would any other military base,” Hegseth continued. “You add up the charges of what you can be charged with—misdemeanors and felonies—you can be looking at up to 10 years in prison when prosecuted.”

With nearly 12,000 U.S. troops now deployed along the border, the administration has resumed construction of the border wall—previously stalled under the Biden administration, which auctioned off unused materials at steep discounts.

In a statement on Truth Social, President Donald Trump praised the results of his border policies. “The month of February, my first full month in Office, had the LOWEST number of Illegal Immigrants trying to enter our Country in History – BY FAR!” he wrote. “There were only 8,326 apprehensions of Illegals by Border Patrol at the U.S. – Mexico Border, all of whom were quickly ejected from our Nation or, when necessary, prosecuted for crimes against the United States of America.”

Trump added, “The Invasion of our Country is OVER. In comparison, under Joe Biden, there were 300,000 Illegals crossing in one month, and virtually ALL of them were released into our Country. Thanks to the Trump Administration Policies, the Border is CLOSED to all Illegal Immigrants. Anyone who tries to illegally enter the U.S.A. will face significant criminal penalties and immediate deportation.”