Pentagon Expands Military Zones on US-Mexico Border

The Pentagon is establishing two new National Defense Areas (NDAs) along the U.S.-Mexico border, increasing the total to four such zones. The Texas NDA will span about 250 miles along the Rio Grande, while the Arizona zone will cover over 100 miles near Yuma, both managed by nearby military bases. These NDAs allow U.S. troops to temporarily detain migrants for trespassing until law enforcement arrives, but the Posse Comitatus Act still prohibits troops from direct law enforcement roles. The expansion is part of the Trump administration's effort to further militarize the border and reduce crossings, which have already declined due to stricter asylum policies and increased Mexican enforcement. Legal outcomes for detained migrants have been mixed, with some charges dismissed for lack of notice and others resulting in convictions or guilty pleas. Democratic lawmakers have criticized the move, arguing it skirts legal restrictions on military involvement in domestic law enforcement.