The designation revives a little-known Theodore Roosevelt-era directive that set aside federal lands for border protection more than a century ago.
Hundreds of acres of public land near the Mexico border have been put under the control of the U.S. Navy for the sake of national security.
The Trump administration announced the plan, which is a continuation of a project started by the Theodore Roosevelt administration, on Dec. 10. The land is now designated as a “National Defense Area.”
Here’s what we know about the change.
Militarized Zone
The 760 acres transferred to the military will now officially be a militarized zone.
The area runs from one mile west of the California-Arizona state line to the western edge of the Otay Mountain Wilderness Area in San Diego and Imperial counties.
The change is expected to assist with immigration enforcement, which is one part of the administration’s national security plan. The transfer allows the military to detain any illegal immigrants found in this area, and arrest anyone entering as if they were trespassing on a military base.
“This corridor is one of the highest-traffic regions for unlawful crossings along the southern border, creating significant national security challenges and contributing to environmental degradation,” the Interior Department said.
The military will be allowed to install temporary barriers and signage, and fence the area.
The department said the land was initially designated for “border protection purposes in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt.”
Southern California has been known to be rife with illegal border crossings. However, arrests for illegal crossings from Mexico have dropped to the lowest number since the 1960s. The Trump administration attributes that change to the crackdown by Border Patrol and other units sent to secure the southern border.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a statement on the recent handover that “President Trump has made it clear that securing our border and restoring American sovereignty are top national priorities.”
What Happens Now
According to the current administration, the Navy will step in to use the area to “strengthen operational capabilities while reducing ecological harm associated with sustained illegal activity.”
The Interior Department says it will coordinate with the Navy to ensure that the actions taken are “both lawful and targeted, reinforcing the historic role public lands have played in safeguarding national sovereignty.”
