Trump Authorizes Military Control Over Border Lands

President Donald Trump has authorized the U.S. military to take control of federal lands along the U.S.-Mexico border, specifically the Roosevelt Reservation, to enhance border security and curb illegal immigration. This move, outlined in a memorandum, transfers jurisdiction from various federal agencies to the Department of Defense, allowing military personnel to temporarily detain migrants trespassing on the newly designated military installation until Border Patrol takes custody. Critics, including Rep. Greg Casar, argue that this is a tactic to distract from economic issues and an abuse of military power, potentially breaching the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of military for domestic law enforcement. The directive also permits the construction of border barriers and deployment of surveillance technology, with the Pentagon bypassing certain legal restrictions. The administration claims illegal crossings have significantly decreased, yet the legality and implications of militarizing the border remain contentious.