Pentagon establishes fourth military defense zone amid immigration crackdown
- The Pentagon established a fourth NDA along the U.S.-Mexico border, expanding the military's role in immigration enforcement.
- The creation of this zone allows U.S. troops to temporarily detain migrants and charge them with trespassing.
- This military action raises concerns about legal implications and the balance between military and law enforcement roles.
In a significant development in July 2025, the Pentagon announced the creation of a fourth National Defense Area (NDA) along the U.S.-Mexico border, expanding military authority in immigration enforcement. This new zone, overseen by the U.S. Navy, covers approximately 140 miles of federal land near the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona. The move follows the establishment of similar zones in New Mexico and Texas, with the directive attributed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Trump administration’s push to enhance military presence at the border. President Trump’s policies have led to an unprecedented militarization of immigration enforcement, allowing troops to apprehend noncitizens and transfer them to law enforcement agencies. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell indicated that these efforts have yielded positive results, including zero migrant 'gotaways' across the southern border within a specific timeframe. However, this expanded role of troops raises legal and civil liberties concerns, particularly regarding the blurring of lines between military and law enforcement functions and potential violations of the Posse Comitatus Act. Lawmakers and civil rights advocates have criticized the military's involvement in domestic policing, highlighting the dangers of eroding constitutional protections. While some view this militarized approach as necessary to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration, critics warn of its implications for civil rights and the precedent it sets for future border control activities.