Judge Dismisses Charges Against Illegal Immigrants Accused of Crossing Into Military Zone

The judge stated that the Illegal immigrants may have overlooked the signs declaring the area as a military zone.

The U.S.–Mexico border fence ends with a gap east of Sasabe, Ariz., on Jan. 20, 2025. John Moore/Getty Images

A federal judge in New Mexico has dismissed the charges against dozens of illegal immigrants who were accused of violating security regulations by trespassing on a military zone along the U.S.–Mexico border, according to court documents filed this week.

Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Gregory Wormuth ruled that the federal government had failed to demonstrate that the illegal immigrants knew they were entering the restricted New Mexico National Defense Area (NMNDA).