Trump Admin Hands Control of Federal Land Along US–Mexico Border to Army

The U.S. Army will take control of federal land along the southern border for the next three years, according to the Interior Department.

U.S. soldiers monitor a known border crossing point along the Rio Grande River in Brownsville, Texas, on Feb. 25, 2025. Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Sveen/U.S. Army

The Interior Department announced on April 15 that it will hand over control of nearly 110,000 acres of federal land along the U.S.–Mexico border to the Army in an effort to deter illegal border crossings.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the emergency transfer during his visit to New Mexico on April 15, granting the Army control of the border zone for three years, according to the department’s statement.