he U.S. Department of Defense has designated a second military zone along the U.S.-Mexico border expanding efforts to support immigration enforcement. The newly established area is in Texas near Fort Bliss in El Paso, following a similar zone created last month in New Mexico. Within these zones, military personnel are authorized to detain individuals who cross the border illegally until they are transferred to the Department of Homeland Security.
General Gregory Guillot, head of U.S. Northern Command, stated that the expansion improves the military’s capacity to prevent unlawful border activity. In New Mexico, individuals have already faced federal charges for unauthorized entry into the designated defense area. The exact size of the Texas zone has not been disclosed. These zones are classified as National Defense Areas, allowing military involvement under specific conditions despite the general restrictions imposed by the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that unauthorized entry into these zones constitutes trespassing on military property and will result in enforcement by both military personnel and Border Patrol agents.
Reference:
AP. “Defense Department designates a second military zone on US border, extending into Texas” AP. May 1, 2025.
