The Pentagon revealed on Wednesday the creation of a large military buffer zone in Texas. This initiative is intended to enhance border security at a time when illegal crossings have significantly decreased, reaching historic lows.
The newly established zone, called a National Defense Area (NDA), extends 250 miles along the Rio Grande River within Cameron and Hidalgo counties, and will feature temporary barriers and signs to secure the region.
Joint Task Force-Southern Border members, supervised by NORTHCOM, will manage this zone. They will conduct monitoring and patrols, but won’t engage in law enforcement activities. However, they do possess the authority to detain individuals and transfer them to Border Patrol authorities.
The Pentagon announced Wednesday that it is establishing an expansive new military buffer zone in Texas aimed at bolstering border security as illegal crossings continue to plummet to record lows. (Can Hasasu/Anadolu via Getty Images)
In May, there were just under 9,000 apprehensions of illegal immigrants at the border, compared with roughly 118,000 the year prior under the Biden administration by CBP.
When President Donald Trump took office in January, the first 11 days saw only 9,086 encounters, and since the numbers have been roughly similar or lower since then.
In 2023, there were points when roughly 10,000 migrants were crossing into the U.S. illegally daily, as many people were able to apply for asylum through the CBP One app.
Army Sgt. Drew Scheffer, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, provides surveillance over the southern border near Santa Teresa, N.M. on April 12. The military has been patrolling the southern border as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal migration. (Department of Defense)
Gotaway numbers are now averaging 46 per day, compared to the average of 1,833 per day at one point under Biden in 2023.
Border czar Tom Homan said that zero illegal migrants were released into the U.S. in May.
