President Donald Trump on Friday signed a memorandum authorizing the military to take control of federal lands along the U.S.-Mexico border in California, Arizona, and New Mexico as part of a new immigration enforcement initiative. The directive, titled “Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions,” transfers jurisdiction of designated areas—including the Roosevelt Reservation—to the Department of Defense.
The lands will be classified as “National Defense Areas” under the control of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Activities will include construction of border barriers and installation of surveillance equipment. Native American reservations are excluded from the order.
Trump said the move addresses threats to national sovereignty and enhances the military’s role in border security. The initial phase will be reviewed in 45 days.
The memorandum follows Trump’s national emergency declaration and troop deployment to the border. Illegal border crossings fell to roughly 7,200 in March—down significantly from the 155,000 monthly average over the past four years.
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