Background on the Situation
Under the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies, US soldiers have begun making their first detentions within military areas established along the US-Mexico border. This move was announced by the United States Army, allowing soldiers to temporarily detain migrants and civilian intruders.
Military Zones Declared as Extensions of Army Bases
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth declared 418 kilometers of border in New Mexico and Texas as extensions of US Army bases. This decision grants soldiers the authority to temporarily detain individuals they encounter in these zones until civilian law enforcement takes over.
First Detentions and Their Significance
On June 3, three “illegal aliens” were detained near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, within these military zones before being handed over to the US Border Patrol, according to Army spokesperson Major Geoffrey Carmichael.
“This is the first time that Department of Defense personnel have recorded a temporary detention within either of the two National Defense Areas,” said Carmichael.
Historical Context of Military Involvement in Border Control
Presidents have long employed active-duty and reserve military personnel along the international border to support the US Border Patrol in functions such as surveillance and construction.
President Donald Trump took military involvement a step further by granting soldiers the right to detain individuals they catch in the zones until civilian law enforcement assumes custody.
Federal forces can also register individuals and carry out crowd control measures within these zones, as per the Army.
Avoiding Invoking the Insurrection Act
Designating these areas as military bases allows for the detention of immigrants without needing President Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, which permits a president to deploy federal troops to quell civil disturbances.
Legal Challenges and Processing of Detained Individuals
The processing of dozens of migrants caught in these zones has faced setbacks in courts after judges in New Mexico and Texas dismissed trespassing charges against a Peruvian woman, ruling that she was unaware of entering restricted areas.
The primary role of soldiers in these zones is to detect and track individuals crossing the border illegally, with around 390 such detections reported so far, according to the Army.
Timing of Detention Announcement
The news of detentions within military zones emerged as Trump deployed National Guard personnel from the state during protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main development in this story? US troops have made their first detentions within military zones established along the US-Mexico border as part of the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies.
- Who declared the military zones along the border? Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth declared 418 kilometers of border in New Mexico and Texas as extensions of US Army bases.
- What powers do soldiers have in these zones? Soldiers can temporarily detain individuals they encounter until civilian law enforcement takes over.
- What legal challenges have arisen from this situation? Courts in New Mexico and Texas dismissed trespassing charges against a Peruvian woman, ruling that she was unaware of entering restricted areas.
- Why were military zones designated instead of invoking the Insurrection Act? Designating these areas as military bases allows for the detention of immigrants without needing to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807.
