Army takes control of federal land along New Mexico border to increase security
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum made a significant announcement during his visit to New Mexico on Tuesday. He revealed that the U.S. Army would be taking control of nearly 110,000 acres of federal land along the U.S.-Mexico border in an effort to combat illegal immigration and trafficking.
The transfer of 109,651 acres of federal land to the Army for a three-year period, subject to valid existing rights, was confirmed by the U.S. Department of the Interior. This decision was made following President Donald Trump’s recent memorandum titled “Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions.” The memorandum directed the secretaries of Defense, Interior, Agriculture, and Homeland Security to assume control of federal lands necessary for military activities.
By switching jurisdiction to the Army, the government aims to safeguard sensitive natural and cultural resources in the region while assisting the Army in supporting U.S. Border Patrol operations to enhance border security and prevent illegal immigration, as stated by the Department of the Interior.
“Securing our border and protecting our nation’s resources go hand in hand,” Burgum emphasized. “The American people gave President Trump a mandate to make America safe and strong again.” This move reflects the Interior’s dedication to public safety, national security, and responsible management of public lands.
The Army had urgently requested the land transfer to increase regular patrols by federal personnel. President Trump had previously declared a national emergency along the southern border, prompting the need for enhanced measures to combat illegal immigration, human trafficking, and narcotics smuggling. The Army will be able to construct infrastructure to bolster border security efforts.
The Department of the Interior acknowledged that the crisis along the border extends beyond national security and law enforcement concerns to encompass an environmental crisis. The region is home to nearly two dozen federally endangered species and cultural sites of significance, ranging from small artifact scatters to large multiroom pueblos. These sites could be threatened by foot traffic, unregulated vehicle use, and the creation of informal trails or camps.
High-traffic illegal crossings pose risks such as soil erosion, damage to desert vegetation, habitat destruction for wildlife, harm to cultural resources, increased fire hazards, and pollution from waste. The Department assured that while some of the transferred land is crucial to local communities’ livelihoods, efforts will be made to ensure that certain activities like grazing and mining can continue with the Bureau of Land Management collaborating with the Army.
In conclusion, the initiative to transfer federal land to the Army underscores the government’s commitment to border security, resource protection, and responsible land management. By addressing national security concerns and environmental preservation, this decision aims to strike a balance between safeguarding the border and conserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
