US Troops Given Authority to Detain Illegal Immigrants Trespassing in Newly Militarized Land

The land along the southern border will be under increased military observation, providing more leverage for security operations.

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

U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) said on Monday that military personnel can now carry out security support operations on a strip of land recently transferred to the Army’s control, strengthening measures against trespassing by illegal immigrants.

On April 15, the Department of the Interior announced the handover of nearly 110,000 acres of federal land along the U.S.–Mexico border to the Army for a three-year period. The transfer occurred after a memorandum was issued by President Donald Trump on April 11, which authorized the military to take control of the land in a bid to counter illegal immigration and drug trafficking.