The United States government has created a new military buffer zone along the border with Mexico. This area is meant to stop illegal crossings into the country. It stretches about 170 miles long and is 60 feet wide. This space is now being watched over by active-duty US soldiers.
A New Military Zone at the US-Mexico Border
The military has officially taken over this area, and it is being treated like a national defense zone. That means it works almost like a military base. If someone tries to enter it without permission, it’s seen as a serious crime. This step marks a new way of handling border security, with more military involvement than before.
This land used to be part of the public federal land. But now, about 110,000 acres have been transferred to the US Army. That’s roughly the size of 445 square kilometers. The goal of this transfer is to create a strong and secure zone where no unauthorized person can pass through.
People who enter this new buffer zone without legal permission are now being arrested and charged. The US Department of Justice has officially started criminal prosecutions against migrants who entered this area. This action was confirmed through court documents and reports.
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Migrants Face Federal Charges in New Mexico
At least 28 migrants were recently charged in a federal court in Las Cruces, New Mexico. These individuals were accused of entering the new military buffer zone illegally. They are now facing two serious charges. First, they are accused of crossing the US-Mexico border without the right documents. Second, they are accused of entering a restricted military area.
These are federal charges, meaning they are handled by the US government and can lead to serious punishment. The court filings show that this is the first time the new buffer zone is being used to take legal action against migrants.
Even though this area is guarded by troops, the soldiers themselves are not making arrests. Instead, they hand over the migrants to civilian law enforcement officers like the US Border Patrol. The soldiers’ job is to patrol and monitor the area for any unauthorized activity. If they find someone, they alert the correct authorities to take action.
So far, according to a US Army spokesman, no arrests have actually been made by the troops themselves. But the presence of the military is clear, and the zone is being treated with high security. The involvement of the army in what used to be a civilian matter shows a big change in how the US is protecting its borders.
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Public Concerns and Legal Questions
The decision to use the military in this way has raised concerns among some groups. They worry that this move could damage the idea that the military should not be used to police civilians inside the country. In the United States, there is a long-standing rule that the military should stay out of regular law enforcement.
The creation of the buffer zone allows the government to use troops to stop migrants without using a law called the Insurrection Act. That act allows the president to send in troops during serious events like riots or civil disorder. The last time the Insurrection Act was used was in 1992 during the riots in Los Angeles.
By using the buffer zone, the government can now use troops along the border without having to declare an emergency. This has allowed for more soldiers to be present without going through special legal steps. Right now, there are around 11,900 troops deployed along the US southwest border.
Reports show that in March, the number of people caught trying to cross the border illegally dropped to the lowest level ever recorded. Some believe this is due to the extra troops and new rules like the buffer zone. But others think that using the military for this purpose could cause problems for the rights of people and communities living nearby.
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Some groups have shared their concern that this move represents a shift away from how things have been done in the past. They say that turning border areas into military zones could affect the way people live and work near the border. They are also concerned about how this could affect the rights of those who might be seeking help or safety.
The situation is still new, and these are the first criminal cases linked directly to this new military buffer zone. As the zone expands and more troops are added, more people may face charges if they are found inside this restricted area.
This marks a new chapter in how the United States manages border security. For now, the focus remains on enforcing the rules that are already in place and making sure that the new military zone is treated as a serious and restricted area.