(Just The News)—The Pentagon is expected to establish two new military zones on the United States’ southern border with Mexico, defense officials told several news outlets on Thursday.
President Donald Trump directed his administration to create military zones on the southern border earlier this year, and the Pentagon has since established two other military zones in New Mexico and southern Texas, which were previously federal land.
The two new military zones, which will bring the total to four, will encompass parts of the border in Arizona and Texas. The first will become part of the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, two defense officials told the New York Times. The second will become a part of Joint Base San Antonio in Texas.
Illegal migrants who are caught in the designated areas will be considered trespassing and can be temporarily detained by U.S. military troops until Border Patrol arrives.
“[The Department of Defense’s] new jurisdiction over these stretches of land and river will enhance the authority of the Department to secure the U.S. southern border from unlawful entry and to maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States,” a defense official told The Hill in a statement.
- Read More: justthenews.com
