U.S. Northern Command announced on Monday that the United States military has been authorized to “detain” illegal immigrants along the southern border between the United States and Mexico as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
In a Monday press release, U.S. Northern Command said that service members have been “delegated the authority and directed to conduct installation security support operations” within the New Mexico National Defense Area.”
U.S. Northern Command said, “Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB) service members have been conducting enhanced detection and monitoring since late March, 2025, which includes mobile ground-based support to detect, track, and monitor movements of suspected illegal activity using military tactical vehicles or foot patrols within zones assigned by Customs and Border Protection.”
Monday’s press release explained that since the New Mexico National Defense Area is now considered to be part of the U.S. Army Fort Huachuca installation, service members who are part of the Joint Task Force-Southern Border operations in the New Mexico National Defense Area have been authorized to “temporarily detain trespassers on the NMNDA until an appropriate law enforcement entity can assume custody” and to “conduct cursory searches of trespassers on the NMNDA to ensure the safety of U.S. service members and Department of Defense (DoD) property.”
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Military members serving as part of the Joint Task Force-Southern Border operations have also been authorized to ensure the safety of U.S. service members and Department of Defense property by conducting various “crowd control measures” and to provide emergency medical support to “trespassers” along the New Mexico National Defense Area to prevent any loss of life or injury.
Additionally, U.S. Northern Command said service members can now be requested to help install temporary fencing, barriers, and signage under the direction of the senior commander of Fort Huachuca.
“Through these enhanced authorities, U.S. Northern Command will ensure those who illegally trespass in the New Mexico National Defense Area are handed over to Customs and Border Protection or our other law enforcement partners,” Gen. Gregory Guillot, Commander of U.S. Northern Command, said in Monday’s press release.
Guillot added, “Joint Task Force-Southern Border will conduct enhanced detection and monitoring, which will include vehicle and foot patrols, rotary wing, and fixed surveillance site operations.”
