Military Deployed to Detain Migrants at New Mexico Border

U.S. Northern Command announced on Monday that the military was authorized to “temporarily detain” and search for illegal immigrants along a designated southern border area, referred to as the New Mexico National Defense Area.

In a memo he issued earlier this month, Donald Trump authorized the military to conduct “operations on federal lands along the Southern Border.”

Karoline L. Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, later stated, “Trump has signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum which directs federal agencies administering land along the border to provide land to the Defense Department within a new area of national defense… This new national defence area spans over 170 miles in New Mexico across our border. In the next few weeks, the administration will expand the area in Texas by more than 90 miles.”

According to Northern Command, the military will be providing “mobile ground support to detect and track suspected illegal activities using military tactical vehicles and foot patrols in zones assigned by Customs and Border Protection.”

Military personnel are also authorized to install fences and signs.

USNORTHCOM Gen. Gregory Guillot stated, “Through these enhanced authorities, U.S. Northern Command ensures those who illegally enter the New Mexico National Defense Area will be handed over to Customs and Border Protection and our other law-enforcement partners. Joint Task Force-Southern Border is conducting enhanced detection and monitoring. This will include vehicle and pedestrian patrols, helicopter and fixed surveillance site operations.”