In a bold move that marks a significant expansion of military involvement at the U.S.-Mexico border, President Donald Trump issued a late-night directive authorizing the U.S. military to assume control over federal lands along the southern frontier.

The presidential memorandum, addressed to the heads of four key federal departments—Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins—calls for an expanded military role in border security operations.

The memo instructs these departments to give the Department of Defense both use and jurisdiction over specific federal lands, including the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide stretch of federally controlled land running along the border. This jurisdiction would support military activities such as:

• Building new sections of border wall
• Installing surveillance and detection technology
• Establishing monitoring infrastructure

It’s worth noting that Federal Indian Reservations are excluded from this order.

Trump’s directive builds on his earlier actions. On his first day in office, he mandated a surge in U.S. military presence at the border. Since then, thousands of active-duty troops have been deployed as part of an evolving national security initiative.

The memo is framed within the context of a national emergency, which Trump declared during his presidency. This allows the Interior Secretary, Doug Burgum, to authorize “withdrawals, reservations, and restrictions” on public lands in favor of the Defense Department.

Perhaps the most striking element of this plan is the creation of “military installations” out of existing federal land. Under this setup, migrants who cross into these areas could be held for trespassing on military property. They would remain in military custody until Homeland Security officials arrive to deport them.

Critics may raise legal concerns here. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prohibits the military from performing domestic law enforcement duties. However, by classifying these detention zones as “holding areas” on military property, the administration appears to be navigating around those legal boundaries.

Initially, this policy will roll out in a specific sector of federal land chosen by Defense Secretary Hegseth. However, the memo gives him the green light to expand this military control to other parts of the border at his discretion.

All military personnel involved will be operating under use-of-force rules established by the Secretary of Defense, according to the memo.

Trump’s directive represents a significant shift in how the federal government may use military power domestically, particularly in relation to immigration enforcement. It raises serious questions about the balance between national security, legal precedent, and humanitarian concerns.

As the situation unfolds, expect fierce debate from lawmakers, civil rights groups, and communities along the border.

Source: CNN – Trump authorizes military to take control of federal land along US southern border

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President Donald Trump’s recent declaration of a border emergency marks a significant shift as the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border has entered a phase of relative calm, following years of turmoil. Once the largest destination for asylum-seekers, the border crisis has seen a dramatic drop in illegal crossings and arrests, leading to a change in how the Border Patrol operates.

A Shift in Border Patrol Activity

As Border Patrol agents monitor vast stretches of land, the once-frequent radio chatter is now filled with long periods of silence, broken only by updates tracking single migrants. One agent remarks, “There’s a pair way down there. We’ll see if they start moving up,” reflecting the quieter conditions at the border.

Trump’s emergency declaration, made in response to what he called “America’s sovereignty under attack,” comes at a time when arrests for illegal border crossings have dropped dramatically. Arrests fell by over 80% in December, from an all-time high of 250,000 the previous year to about 47,000. The decrease followed stronger enforcement measures by Mexican authorities and the implementation of stricter asylum policies under President Joe Biden.

Trump’s Critique of Biden’s Border Measures

Despite this drop in arrests, Trump believes Biden’s actions haven’t gone far enough. Under Biden, border arrests hit 4 1/2-year lows, but were still significantly higher than during Trump’s early years in office. Trump highlighted the increased arrests of migrants compared to 2017, a low point he used to emphasize his stance on border control during his campaign rallies.

A Glimpse of Daily Border Patrol Operations

On a recent ride-along with Border Patrol in San Diego, the busiest sector for illegal crossings, the situation seemed more controlled. For six hours, the AP team encountered no migrants until the final moments, when three Chinese nationals and one Malaysian crossed through a gap in the border wall. These individuals were taken into custody and processed in large tents set up during Biden’s presidency.

While some migrants continue to cross, the logistics of deporting them to countries like Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba, which are reluctant to accept their citizens, remains a significant challenge. This complicates Trump’s border plans, which hinge on effectively detaining and transporting migrants.

A Return to Traditional Border Patrol Duties

Under Biden, Border Patrol agents had been tasked with processing and releasing asylum-seekers with notices to appear in immigration court. However, recent changes have shifted their focus back to traditional duties, including tracking individuals and small groups trying to evade capture.

The number of migrants released into the U.S. has dropped sharply, with fewer than 7,000 released in December 2023, a 96% decrease from nearly 192,000 a year earlier. In the third week of January 2024, El Paso reported only 211 releases, a stark contrast to the tens of thousands released each week under Biden.

Shifting Border Conditions in San Diego

In San Diego, Border Patrol agents monitor dangerous mountain trails with expansive views of Tijuana, Mexico. Migrants who evade capture often walk for up to two days through the wilderness before reaching smugglers’ vehicles. Agents track their movements and plan when to move in, using surveillance to stay ahead of the border crossers.

Just a year ago, Border Patrol agents were overwhelmed by large groups of asylum-seekers, many of whom waited for days in extreme temperatures. Volunteers assisted these migrants by passing food and medical supplies through gaps in the border walls. However, by early January 2024, migrant groups had shrunk to small numbers, with occasional larger groups of around 40 individuals.

Karen Parker, a volunteer providing medical assistance to migrants in remote areas, said she once encountered hundreds of people crossing nightly. By January, she noticed a decrease in the number of crossings, attributing the slowdown to factors such as freezing temperatures and wildfires.

Trump’s Emergency Powers and Future Plans

Trump’s border emergency declaration will rely heavily on funding for detention and transportation, as well as negotiations with countries that refuse to accept their citizens. During his first term, Trump used emergency powers to divert billions of dollars from the Defense Department to fund the border wall. He reiterated his commitment to securing the southern border, saying, “It is my responsibility as President to ensure that the illegal entry of aliens into the United States via the southern border be immediately and entirely stopped.”

Local Impacts: Shelter Closures in Arizona

The effects of Trump’s border policies are being felt on the ground. In Arizona, Pima County announced the closure of two migrant shelters in Tucson due to a halt in migrant releases. Since 2019, these shelters have served over 518,000 migrants. Similarly, Jewish Family Service of San Diego reported that it hadn’t received any migrants since the Trump administration ended the use of the CBP One app, which allowed migrants to legally enter the U.S. for processing.

Conclusion

Trump’s border emergency declaration signals a major shift in U.S. immigration policy. While border arrests have fallen significantly, the complexity of deportations, smuggling activities, and the humanitarian challenges at the border continue to complicate enforcement. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how Trump’s emergency powers and policies will reshape the future of U.S. border control.

Source

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