Defense Secretary Pete Hegses warned that illegal immigrants trying to enter the zone are “on military bases.”
According to a court filing on April 28, the United States has begun prosecuting illegal immigrants allegedly crossed to restricted military zones along the US-Mexico border.
Approximately 28 illegal immigrants have been charged with illegal entry to enter the “restricted and controlled” New Mexico defense region and “violating security regulations,” according to court filings.
The newly created military zone includes the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide corridor owned by the federal government that runs along the borders of California, Arizona and New Mexico.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegses warned last week that unauthorized attempts to enter the defense zone, previously known as the Fort Juachuka Annex Zone, will lead to arrests.
Hegseth said this marked only the first phase as the Department of Defense plans to expand military areas along the border to further strengthen the security of the border.
“If you try to avoid it, it avoids law enforcement, just like you do with other military bases. You add up the charges of what you can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, you can see in prison for up to 10 years when you are charged,” he added.
Customs and border security maintain jurisdiction over illegal border intersections in the region, with the military handing over illegal immigrants detaining border patrol agents.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in New Mexico has expressed concern over the creation of a militarized buffer zone, calling it “a dangerous erosion of constitutional principles.”
The Epoch Times contacted the Department of Defense to comment on ACLU concerns, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
Under the declaration, Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem were ordered to take “all appropriate actions” to build more physical barriers along the US-Mexico border.
Reuters contributed to this report.
