Trump’s New Border Policy: Military Action

President Trump has authorized the U.S. military to take unprecedented control of the southern border, converting federal lands into military installations to combat illegal immigration.

At a Glance

  • Trump’s National Security Presidential Memorandum directs the military to secure the southern border and repel unauthorized entries
  • The plan converts a 60-foot-wide strip of land along the border (Roosevelt Reservation) into military-controlled territory
  • Military personnel can temporarily detain migrants for trespassing but must summon Border Patrol for actual immigration arrests
  • Implementation will begin in one border sector with a 45-day assessment before potential expansion
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that “border security is national security”

Military Taking Direct Role in Border Security

President Donald Trump has issued a National Security Presidential Memorandum authorizing the military to take a direct role in securing America’s southern border. The memorandum, titled “Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions,” is anchored in Executive Order 14167 from January 20, 2025. It directs the Secretaries of Defense, Interior, Agriculture, and Homeland Security to coordinate efforts to maintain the sovereignty and security of the United States along the border with Mexico.

The directive specifically targets the four U.S. states bordering Mexico: California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Under the plan, a 60-foot-wide strip of federal border land known as the Roosevelt Reservation will be transferred to Defense Department authority. This conversion allows the military to establish a presence directly at the border, creating areas designated as “National Defense Areas” with jurisdictional transfer to the Department of Defense.

Operational Framework and Implementation

The memorandum outlines a phased implementation beginning in a limited border sector with a 45-day assessment period. Following this initial phase, operations may expand at the Secretary of Defense’s discretion. Military personnel will follow established rules regarding the use of force and have the authority to temporarily detain individuals crossing into these newly designated military installations. However, they will not have the power to make immigration arrests, which remains the responsibility of Border Patrol agents who would be summoned when migrants are detained. 

“Border security is national security,” stated Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “The DOD is not only willing to—it’s proud to—partner with DHS to defend the sovereignty of our southern border and advance that mission.”

The memorandum authorizes various military operations on these federal lands, including building barriers, installing surveillance equipment, and establishing detention areas. It also allows for the authorization of state National Guard members to work on the military-controlled strip if needed, providing additional personnel resources for the mission.

Legal and Practical Considerations

The plan raises questions about potential conflicts with laws limiting the use of federal troops for domestic law enforcement. Critics have expressed concern about military or quasi-military personnel detaining migrants, with one observer noting it “comes very close to military personnel detaining migrants.” 

Practical details of implementation are still being developed, including appropriate signage languages, placement of warnings, and positioning of military patrols. These logistical considerations are critical for establishing the legal framework under which migrants could be detained for trespassing on military property. The memorandum specifies that it does not affect existing legal authorities or create enforceable rights against the U.S. government, suggesting an awareness of the legal complexities involved.

The directive represents a significant escalation in federal border enforcement by emphasizing military control and use of public lands. Implementation has already begun, with reports of U.S. troops arriving in Texas to support the administration’s border security plans. The administration maintains that this approach is necessary to address what it describes as various threats at the southern border requiring a more direct military role.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR