Pentagon to create two military zones on US southern border: Reports

President Donald Trump directed his administration to create military zones on the southern border earlier this year, and the Pentagon has since established two other military zones in New Mexico and southern Texas, which were previously federal land.

Published: June 26, 2025 7:31pm

The Pentagon is expected to establish two new military zones on the United States' southern border with Mexico, defense officials told several news outlets on Thursday.

President Donald Trump directed his administration to create military zones on the southern border earlier this year, and the Pentagon has since established two other military zones in New Mexico and southern Texas, which were previously federal land.

The two new military zones, which will bring the total to four, will encompass parts of the border in Arizona and Texas. The first will become part of the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, two defense officials told the New York Times. The second will become a part of Joint Base San Antonio in Texas. 

Illegal migrants who are caught in the designated areas will be considered trespassing and can be temporarily detained by U.S. military troops until Border Patrol arrives. 

“[The Department of Defense's] new jurisdiction over these stretches of land and river will enhance the authority of the Department to secure the U.S. southern border from unlawful entry and to maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States,” a defense official told The Hill in a statement. 

The new construction projects to create the zones will be overseen by the secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Unlock unlimited access

  • No Ads Within Stories
  • No Autoplay Videos
  • VIP access to exclusive Just the News newsmaker events hosted by John Solomon and his team.
  • Support the investigative reporting and honest news presentation you've come to enjoy from Just the News.
  • Just the News Spotlight

    Support Just the News

    X
    Subscribe to our newsletters.