New Military Buffer Zone Along U.S.-Mexico Border Results in First Migrant Prosecutions
The U.S. Department of Justice prosecutes migrants for entering a new military zone along the border, raising concerns about civil liberties and military oversight.
The newly militarized corridor includes the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide (18-meter-wide) federal buffer zone that ribbons along the border, except where it encounters tribal or privately owned land.
Migrants face a novel criminal charge in new border zone in New Mexico
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As New Mexicans, we have deep concerns about the enhanced militarization of our borderlands communities.
US charges migrants over entering military ‘buffer zone’ on Mexico border
The Guardian·3d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.The buffer zone allowed the Trump administration to use troops to arrest migrants without invoking the 1807 Insurrection Act that empowers a president to deploy the U.S. military to suppress events like civil disorder.
First Migrants Charged for Entering Military Zone on US Border
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Summary
The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated prosecutions against 28 migrants for illegally entering a newly declared military zone along the U.S.-Mexico border. This 170-mile strip is overseen by U.S. troops, raising civil liberties concerns from groups like the ACLU. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted that entering this area is akin to entering a military base, and federal law allows for military involvement in border patrol. Critics warn that military policing of civilians represents a concerning erosion of constitutional principles.
Perspectives
Migrants now face criminal charges for entering a military-designated area, which has raised concerns about the militarization of border enforcement.
The establishment of the New Mexico National Defense Area allows the military to temporarily detain migrants, navigating around federal laws restricting military involvement in domestic law enforcement.
Critics, including the ACLU, argue that such military oversight represents a dangerous erosion of constitutional protections against military policing of civilians.