"The Department of Interior on Wednesday said it would transfer jurisdiction along most of California's international border with Mexico to the Navy to reinforce the historic role public lands have played in safeguarding national sovereignty. The newly designated militarized zone extends nearly from the Arizona state line to the Otay Mountain Wilderness, traversing the Imperial Valley and border communities including Tecate."
"The Interior Department described the newest national defense area in California as a high-traffic zone for unlawful crossings by immigrants. But Border Patrol arrests along the southern U.S. border this year have dropped to the slowest pace since the 1960s, amid President Donald Trump's push for mass deportations. By working with the Navy to close long-standing security gaps, we are strengthening national defense, protecting our public lands from unlawful use, and advancing the President's agenda, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a news release."
The Department of Interior transferred jurisdiction along most of California's international border with Mexico to the Navy, creating a national defense area stretching nearly from the Arizona state line to the Otay Mountain Wilderness and traversing the Imperial Valley and communities including Tecate. Since April, large swaths of the southern border have been designated militarized zones, empowering U.S. troops to apprehend immigrants and others accused of trespassing on military bases and allowing additional criminal charges. More than 7,000 troops, helicopters, drones and surveillance equipment have been deployed. The Interior described the area as a high-traffic zone, while Border Patrol arrests have fallen to their slowest pace since the 1960s.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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