The U.S. Attorney for New Mexico announced that his office filed 82 charges for unauthorized entry into the newly created National Defense Area along the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement Thursday and said it followed a border visit from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks.
“The Department of Justice will work hand in glove with the Department of Defense and Border Patrol to gain 100% operational control of New Mexico’s 170-mile border with Mexico,” Ellison said in the announcement. “Trespassers into the National Defense Area will be Federally prosecuted—no exceptions.”
According to the U.S. Attorney, these Title 50 charges could result in one year in prison on top of any immigration-related offenses.
The designation of a 60-foot strip of land along the border is part of President Donald Trump’s attempt to stop those from crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico wrote on Wednesday about their concerns with the new border moves.
“These prosecutions raise serious concerns, threatening civil liberties for everyone in border communities regardless of citizenship status,” the group wrote. “People apprehended in this area — newly controlled by the Pentagon — now face potential penalties for violating military security regulations.”
The civil rights organization said they would be “watching these developments closely.”
When Trump designated the strip of land along the U.S.-Mexico border as a military installation, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s staff said they were not consulted and would not aid in the scheme.
What can be done by the State to get the US Military out of New México? How do we know for sure that US Military won’t have order s that expand their occupation? (Think sanctuary cities)
What’s wrong cleaning up the boarder preventing illegals with rap sheets for rape, murder, drugs and so on. NM get your head out of the sand and join this administration on preventing illegals.
I’m so happy the military is providing assistance to border patrol to stop illegal aliens from crossing over our once open border for many many years…I’m also happy the Dems are unable to stop this operation… The Dems also need to stop instilling fear in people because we’re not scared of our military we are scared of the democratic so called leaders who have ruined this great failed State…
Thank goodness we finally have a President that is protecting my civil rights ! Flip NM Red