Trump administration creates new militarized zone in California along southern US border

"The US's southern border is poised to become more militarized following an announcement by Trump administration officials that armed forces would now oversee 760 acres of public land for a three-year period. The US Department of Interior said in a statement that jurisdiction over this acreage located in California's San Diego and Imperial counties would be transferred to the US navy to establish a National Defense Area to support ongoing border security operations."

"President Trump has made it clear that securing our border and restoring American sovereignty are top national priorities, said Doug Burgum, the US interior secretary. This action delivers on that commitment. 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 to put the safety and security of the American people first, he said."

"Expansive portions of the border region have been deemed militarized zones since April. This designation permits US military members to capture migrants and those whom they allege are illegally on US army, navy or air force bases, according to the Associated Press. The militarization zone classification also enables more criminal charges which, in turn, could mean greater prison terms. AP notes that more than 7,000 service members have been sent to the US border, as well as military surveillance equipment."

Jurisdiction over 760 acres of public land in San Diego and Imperial counties will transfer to the US Navy for a three-year National Defense Area to support border security operations. The transfer aims to close security gaps, strengthen national defense, protect public lands from unlawful use, and advance presidential border-security priorities. The area extends from the western edge of the Otay Mountain Wilderness to about one mile west of the California–Arizona border and is described as a high-traffic unlawful-crossing region with environmental damage. Large portions of the border have been designated militarized zones since April, enabling military capture of migrants, expanded criminal charges, deployment of over 7,000 service members, and military surveillance equipment, even as Border Patrol arrests have fallen to multi-decade lows.

Read at www.theguardian.com