Trump Administration Considers Military-Controlled Buffer Zone at Southern Border

The proposed 60-foot-wide zone would allow active-duty troops to temporarily hold migrants, raising legal and constitutional concerns.

The Trump administration is reviewing a plan to establish a Pentagon-led buffer zone along the southern U.S. border within the Roosevelt Reservation from New Mexico to California.
The proposal would grant active-duty military personnel temporary authority to hold migrants until civilian law enforcement arrives.
Legal challenges are anticipated, particularly regarding compliance with the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military involvement in civilian law enforcement.
Over 10,000 active-duty troops are already deployed to the southern border, contributing to a significant decrease in illegal crossings since January 2025.
President Trump has not yet decided whether to approve the plan, as officials assess its feasibility and potential implications.