President Trump issued a memorandum on Friday that authorized the military to take control or federal lands along the southern border to combat illegal immigration and drug smuggration.
“Our Southern Border is under Attack from A Variety of Threats. The complexity of the current sition shots that ort military fake a more direct role in securing ur southern border Than in the Recently Past,” Trump bourgeo on federal lands “that are reasonably necessary to allow military activities directed in this memorandum.”
The mission is to “defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the United States, as detailed in Trump’s first day executive order on border security.
The Trump memorandum allows the military to operate in the Roosevelt Reserve, a 60 -foot wide ground strip along the southern border that extends from California to Texas, but excludes the federal reserves of the American natives.
“When carrying out activities under this memorandum, the members of the Armed Forces will follow rules for the use of the force prescribed by the Secretary of Defense,” says the memorandum.
Trump also ordered Hegseeth to take all the necessary measures to “protect and maintain” the areas where troops will be present as if they were “military facilities”, even by restoring access to those areas.
According to the “gradual implementation” of land acquisition, the Trump Administration “will initially implement this memorandum in a limited sector of federal lands designated by the Secretary of Defense” Chorination to Memo.
“Within 45 days after the date of this memorandum, the Secretary of Defense will evaluate this initial phase,” continues the directive.
“At any time, the Secretary of Defense can extend the activities under this memorandum to additional federal lands along the southern border in coordination with the Secretary of National Security, the assistant of the President and National Security Advisor, and the department of others Tan.” “Department of Cutive Department