The U.S. military has expanded its presence along the southern border, designating new restricted areas that now span nearly one-third of the US-Mexico border. The zones, enforced under emergency powers first declared by President Donald Trump, empower troops to detain individuals entering the country illegally.

Orange warning signs mark newly militarized zones in New Mexico and western Texas, now under supervision of nearby military bases. Troops can arrest migrants, sidestepping legal restrictions on military involvement in civilian enforcement.

Rising Concerns and Legal Pushback

Critics, including civil rights advocates, humanitarian workers, and local officials, have raised alarm over the restrictions. Abbey Carpenter, a search-and-rescue coordinator, noted the growing difficulty in accessing remote desert zones where migrant deaths have surged: “Maybe there are more deaths, but we don’t know.”

More than 1,400 migrants have already been charged with trespassing on military land, facing prison terms of up to 18 months. Legal challenges are ongoing, with federal public defenders contesting the authority of the military to enforce law on public land without congressional oversight.

Border Security vs. Civil Liberties

Supporters argue the military zones strengthen border security and combat smuggling, especially in areas previously lacking enforcement infrastructure. Farmers and ranchers in Luna County express support for the policy, citing long-standing concerns over cartel activity.

However, local hunters and hikers say they are being locked out of public land. “I don’t want to go down there with my hunting rifle and all of a sudden somebody rolls up on me,” said Luna County Commissioner Ray Trejo.

Despite the expanded military presence, border arrests have dropped to their lowest levels in six decades. Yet the Biden administration has not reversed the Trump-era emergency framework, leaving the legality and future scope of the zones uncertain.