U.S. Military to Oversee Federal Lands Along Southern Border Under New Presidential Directive

In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump has authorized the U.S. military to assume control of federal lands near the southern border with Mexico. The directive is part of a broader national security strategy aimed at enhancing border management and supporting federal agencies in curbing illegal activities in the region.

The decision was outlined in a National Security Presidential Memorandum released by the White House on Friday. In the document, President Trump emphasized that the current situation at the southern border presents complex challenges that require a stronger and more direct role for the military.

“Our southern border is under attack from a variety of threats,” the memorandum states. “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.”

Expanded Military Jurisdiction

The order grants the Department of Defense expanded authority to operate on specific public lands along the borders of California, Arizona, and New Mexico. This includes the Roosevelt Reservation, a federally controlled strip of land established in the early 1900s for border enforcement purposes.

Importantly, the directive does not apply to Native American reservations, unless those areas are deemed “reasonably necessary” for national defense operations such as surveillance equipment installation or border barrier construction.

This shift in jurisdiction will allow the Pentagon to designate certain public lands as “National Defense Areas,” making them subject to military regulation and oversight. These actions fall under existing legal frameworks for land transfers between federal departments for defense-related use.

Coordination Between Departments

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been tasked with determining the military activities required to carry out the mission outlined in the memorandum. These may include logistical support, surveillance, detection operations, and the construction of infrastructure to support Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The memorandum calls for close coordination between the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Interior, and Agriculture. The initial implementation will focus on a specific sector of the border and be evaluated within 45 days. Depending on that assessment, operations may expand to other areas as deemed necessary.

Reinforced Military Presence

Since the declaration of a national emergency on Inauguration Day, the military presence along the southern border has increased. In addition to the 2,500 personnel previously deployed during the Biden administration, approximately 1,500 more troops have been added to support the new directive.

Leadership for this expanded effort has been centralized under the Joint Task Force Southern Border, currently headed by Maj. Gen. Scott Naumann of the 10th Mountain Division. The division headquarters was relocated from Fort Drum in New York to Fort Huachuca in Arizona to facilitate direct oversight.

At present, the role of these troops remains supportive in nature. They provide logistical aid, intelligence gathering, and surveillance assistance to CBP. Under the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, active-duty troops are generally restricted from performing direct law enforcement duties unless authorized under specific legal exceptions.

Sharp Decline in Border Crossings

The policy change coincides with a dramatic decline in illegal border crossings. In March, CBP recorded just over 7,000 crossings—compared to an average of 155,000 per month during the previous four years. Daily apprehensions have also dropped to around 230, representing a 95% reduction from previous levels.

While officials have not attributed the decline solely to the military’s role, they credit enhanced interagency coordination and a comprehensive border strategy with helping to bring the numbers down.

Legal and Public Response

Meanwhile, a federal judge recently dismissed a legal challenge brought by several religious organizations that opposed immigration enforcement near church properties. The judge ruled that the plaintiffs had not demonstrated sufficient harm to justify the lawsuit, effectively upholding the administration’s policy.

The military’s involvement in border operations remains a sensitive and evolving issue. Though the current directive aims to bolster national security and improve logistical efficiency, it continues to raise questions about the appropriate role of the military in domestic affairs.

As the initial phase of implementation unfolds, federal officials are expected to provide regular assessments on the effectiveness of the strategy and consider further adjustments based on operational needs and legal considerations.