Soldiers stationed in parts of the tropical border are given the authority to temporarily detain and search for illegal immigrants.
The Northern US Command said Monday that service members with the Joint Task Force Border (JTF-SB) are authorized to implement several security measures in the New Mexico Defense Region (NMNDA). The NMNDA is part of the U.S. Army Fort Huachuca military facility.
This move will allow the US military to play a more aggressive law enforcement role than in the past few years. Military personnel are usually prevented from participating in civil law enforcement activities such as searches, seizures and arrests.
The Navy deploys another Hooty combat warship on missions on the new US tropical border
Army Sgt. Drewschafer, assigned to the Southern Border Joint Task Force, monitors the southern border near Santa Teresa, New Mexico on April 12th (Doctor of Defense)
As part of the new obligation, service members may search for and temporarily detain NMNDA intruders, provide medical care and implement crowd control measures until appropriate law enforcement is detained.
Task Force members can also assist in installing temporary barriers, signs and fencing on request.
“Through these enhanced authorities, the US Northern Command ensures that trespassers in the New Mexico Defense Area are handed over to customs and border security or other law enforcement partners.” “The Joint Task Force South Border will implement enhanced detection and surveillance, including vehicle and foot patrols, rotorcraft and operation of fixed surveillance sites.”
USNORTHCOM has been appointed as the Department of Defense operational lead for the employment of US military forces to implement President Donald Trump’s southern border enforcement order.
Trump orders military personnel to control federal land at the tropical border
A group of more than 100 immigrants attempting to enter the United States are attempting to illegally break through the border wall on Thursday, March 21, 2024. In the process, immigrants take down the Texas National Security Guard before halting at the boundary wall. (New York Post/Mega’s James Breeden)
Last week, Interior Secretary Doug Burgham visited New Mexico and announced that the Army would control about 110,000 acres of federal land along the US-Mexican border as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to curb illegal immigration and human trafficking.
The 109,651 acres of federal land will be transferred to the Army for three years subject to existing rights in force.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the switching of jurisdiction will allow the government to protect the sensitive natural and cultural resources of the region, while also helping the Army to secure borders and support the border patrol operations to prevent illegal immigration.
In March, the Department of Defense granted support for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to provide “enhanced detection and surveillance” to the military to patrol the US border.
This division shows the southern border wall and the border troops. (Getty Images)
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“Law enforcement measures to arrest individuals suspected of illegal immigration must be carried out only by non-DOD law enforcement officials and national security officials in non-associative positions with these patrols,” DOD said.
Alexandra Koch of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
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