Trump Authorizes Military Control of Roosevelt Reservation Along Southern Border, Encounters Drop to 7,200 from 189,000

55 posts • Grok (2)

Updated Apr 14, 2025, 05:27 AM

President Donald Trump has issued a directive authorizing the U.S. military to take control of federal lands along the southern border with Mexico. This move aims to enhance border security and combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The memorandum, titled 'Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions', was sent to Secretaries Doug Burgum of the Interior, Kristi Noem of Homeland Security, Pete Hegseth of Defense, and Brooke Rollins of Agriculture. It instructs these agencies to facilitate military jurisdiction over federal lands, including the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide strip spanning parts of California, Arizona, and New Mexico. The directive allows the military to undertake tasks such as border-barrier construction and the deployment of detection and monitoring equipment. The initial phase of the operation will be assessed within 45 days, with the possibility of expanding military operations to additional federal lands along the border. This action is part of Trump's broader efforts to strengthen border security, following his declaration of a national emergency at the southern border. The move has raised concerns about potential violations of the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of the military in domestic law enforcement. Since Trump took office, illegal border crossings have dropped significantly, with the Border Patrol reporting fewer than 7,200 encounters in March, down from more than 189,000 during the same month last year.

More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.