Hundreds charged for entering militarized U.S. border zones
- The U.S. Department of Justice has transferred oversight of a strip of land along the southern U.S. border to the military, resulting in hundreds of immigrants being charged with trespassing.
- New national security charges carry potential prison sentences, coalescing issues regarding legal standards and the treatment of immigrants in military zones.
- The militarization of the border raises questions about civil liberties and the government's expanding power, leading to critiques from various advocacy groups.
In New Mexico and western Texas, hundreds of immigrants have been charged with unauthorized entry into a newly designated militarized zone along the U.S.-Mexico border. This situation arose after the U.S. Department of Justice implemented a new approach in late April 2025, transferring oversight of this area to the military. The U.S. Army commands from Fort Bliss in Texas and Fort Huachuca in Arizona now oversee these designated national defense areas. The novel security charges carry potential sentences of up to 18 months in prison, in addition to other penalties for illegal entry. As a response to the arrival of immigrants who are undocumented, the Trump administration has sought to tighten enforcement actions, leading to more military involvement along the border. U.S. troops have been authorized to detain individuals who are illegally present in the country, although no records indicate that troops have exercised this authority; instead, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been the primary agency conducting arrests. The changes to border enforcement strategies have resulted in mixed reactions, including criticism from civil liberties advocates. By mid-May, reports indicated that around 400 criminal cases related to these military security charges were filed in New Mexico's Las Cruces court, with public defenders arguing for the dismissal of the cases citing the need for proof that immigrants knowingly violated military regulations. Federal prosecutors have initiated similar charges in Texas, sparks raised concerns regarding the potential consequences for those crossing the border in search of better opportunities, as they may now be subjected to stricter penalties under federal law. U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated that numerous warning signs were posted in both English and Spanish to inform individuals of the prohibited entry due to military jurisdiction. Concerns have been raised about how such military presence at the border restricts access for families living in the area and infringes upon fundamental rights. Democratic U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico has voiced worries regarding the implications of the enforcement policy, fearing that anyone could be stopped and detained by soldiers under these new regulations. The ACLU's Rebecca Sheff emphasized the adverse impact on basic freedoms, highlighting a troubling shift in border enforcement policy.