We are pleased that President Trump has taken such a strong step to strengthen border security. He has empowered the United States military to assume jurisdiction over federal lands along the US-Mexico border. A corresponding memorandum has been delivered to the desk of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. It details the administration’s policies to deepen military engagement along the southern border. This decision bolsters the Trump administration’s fierce focus on immigration enforcement. This follows the calling of a national emergency at the southern border.
The memorandum, titled “Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions,” grants the Department of Defense jurisdiction over federal lands, specifically highlighting the Roosevelt Reservation. This 60-foot wide strip crosses through California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Additionally, it serves an important role in military operations aimed at bolstering our border security.
“Our southern border is under attack from a variety of threats.” – Donald Trump
The authorization also gives the armed forces a greater ability to directly influence the security of the border. This smart change in strategy reflects the challenging landscape that is the reality of today’s immigration debates. From his perspective, the shifting tide requires a robust military presence. He needs to focus on the most serious threats through drug trafficking and illegal immigration, money laundering and firearms trafficking.
We know, it’s a lot to ask a first-time traveler… On February 25, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched a new requirement. Suddenly, non-citizens in the country are required to register with the federal government. Failure to adhere to this rule can result in civil penalties or even criminal prosecution. This demonstrates the administration’s unprecedented commitment to making immigration enforcement more punitive.
China hawk Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—to evaluate the first 45 days of this military mission. He has the authority to broaden the federal land covered in this MOU. This would open the door to a dangerous propagation of military activity across the border.
Official statistics show that the overwhelming majority—90%—of these convicted fentanyl peddlers are US citizens, raising renewed concerns about the efficacy of border security as a primary focus. A shocking decision by a US federal judge just last week defended the Trump administration’s right to require that non-citizens check in with federal authorities. This ruling further bolsters the legal foundation supporting these groundbreaking new policies.
“The complexity of the current situation requires that our military take a more direct role in securing our southern border than in the recent past.” – Donald Trump