Pentagon Establishes Second Military Zone at Texas-Mexico Border

The U.S. Department of Defense has established a second National Defense Area along the Texas-Mexico border, expanding the military's role in immigration enforcement as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal crossings. This new zone, stretching about 53 miles from El Paso to Fort Hancock and incorporated into Fort Bliss, allows troops to temporarily detain migrants suspected of unlawful entry before handing them over to Border Patrol or other law enforcement. The move follows a similar designation last month in New Mexico, both intended to increase operational reach and surveillance at the border. While military personnel are authorized to detain, search, and provide medical assistance to migrants, actual arrests and charges are carried out by civilian authorities. The expansion circumvents the Posse Comitatus Act by classifying these areas as extensions of military bases, thereby granting troops limited law enforcement authority within the zones. These actions reflect a broader policy to bolster border security by leveraging military resources without invoking the Insurrection Act.