Interior Transfers 285 Acres Arizona Border Land to Navy for Defense

The Department of the Interior, under President Donald Trump's administration, has transferred approximately 285 acres of public land in southeastern Arizona along the U.S.-Mexico border to the U.S. Navy for a three-year period. This land transfer is part of a broader initiative to establish National Defense Areas aimed at supporting border security operations and combating persistent illegal cross-border activity. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum emphasized that the move is intended to close security gaps, prevent illegal immigration, and protect natural resources from damage caused by unlawful border crossings. The land transferred is part of the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide strip established by President Theodore Roosevelt to prevent smuggling, and lies adjacent to protected areas such as the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. The transfer allows the Navy to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection in securing the border, reducing illegal traffic, and mitigating environmental harm caused by off-road vehicles, foot traffic, and illegal dumping. This action reflects the administration's ongoing commitment to enhancing national sovereignty and public safety along the southern border.