The Department of Defense is establishing a massive military buffer zone in southern Texas in accordance with a presidential directive to bolster border security.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth directed the creation of a new military buffer zone — formally known as a National Defense Area — covering roughly 250 miles along the Rio Grande River in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties, according to a press release from the U.S. Air Force. The directive is part of the military’s ongoing mission to assist the Trump administration with securing the U.S.-Mexico border.
The new buffer zone will be considered an extension of Joint Base San Antonio, according to the Air Force. The land was previously administered by the International Boundary and Water Commission, the agency responsible for applying water-sharing agreements between Mexico and the U.S.
“Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB) service members, under the direction of USNORTHCOM, will operate within the [the military buffer zone],” the Air Force press release stated.
“Their responsibilities include enhanced detection and monitoring through stationary positions and mobile patrols, temporarily detaining trespassers until they are transferred to the appropriate law enforcement authorities, and supporting the installation of temporary barriers, and signage to secure the area,” the statement continued.
Military personnel in the area will be “immediately” prepared to install fencing and remain on standby to conduct security operations, according to the Air Force.
The Pentagon’s directive is in lockstep with President Donald Trump’s Apr. 11 executive order titled “Military Mission for Sealing the Southern Border of the United States and Repelling Invasions,” which calls on military resources to help secure the southern border. The Pentagon already designated a 170-mile military buffer zone in New Mexico in April and a 63-mile zone in West Texas the following month.
Since returning to office, Trump has taken major steps to control the once-chaotic southern border, issuing a slate of executive orders and administrative directives to reduce illegal immigration. Such actions included a national emergency declaration allowing him to divert more military resources to the southern border, prioritizing wall construction, designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, among other changes.
The president also successfully coerced both the Mexican and Canadian governments to do more to bolster border security, including a commitment of 10,000 national guard troops from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to help stop the flow of illegal immigration and illicit drugs.
Border data indicate that the Trump administration’s efforts are bearing fruit.
Border Patrol agents encountered a total of 8,725 illegal migrants crossing the southern border between ports of entry in May, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The number marked a 93% drop from the 117,905 illegal migrant encounters in May 2024.
The enormous drop in encounters has effectively resulted in the abolishment of “catch and release,” a process where overburdened detention facilities are forced to release illegal migrants to make space for new arrivals. Not a single illegal migrant was released into the U.S. in May, according to CBP — a monumental change from the 62,000 illegal migrants released into the country in May 2024 under President Joe Biden.
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