The Department of Defense announced that it is creating a new military buffer zone in Texas to support border security efforts. The zone, called a National Defense Area (NDA), will be 250 miles along the Rio Grande River in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties.
Service members with the Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB) will be responsible for “enhanced detection and monitoring through stationary positions and mobile patrols, temporarily detaining trespassers until they are transferred to the appropriate law enforcement authorities, and supporting the installation of temporary barriers, and signage to secure the area,” the U.S. Air Force explained.
“These efforts reflect USNORTHCOM’s ongoing mission as the DoD’s operational lead for homeland defense, ensuring the territorial integrity of the United States’ southern border,” the statement added.
The move comes in support of President Donald Trump’s memorandum directing the military to seal the southern border.
“As the Chief Executive and Commander in Chief, the United States Constitution empowers me to direct the various elements of the executive branch to protect our homeland and ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the United States in the manner I deem most efficient and effective, consistent with applicable law,” the memo says, going on to declare that Trump has assigned the Armed Forces of the United States the “military missions of repelling the invasion and sealing the United States southern border from unlawful entry to maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States.”
Earlier this year, USNORTHCOM announced that troops positioned in an NDA in New Mexico may temporarily detain trespassers, conduct searches of such individuals, engage in crowd control operations, provide emergency medical support where necessary, and assist with the installation of temporary barriers.
