82 people face trespassing charges for crossing into New Mexico military zone
Dozens were charged for unauthorized entry in New Mexico's new military zone along the southern border, officials said.
A total of 82 people received Title 50 charges as of Thursday, May 1, for crossing into military defense property, a 170-square-mile strip along the base of New Mexico, also known as the Roosevelt Reservation, according to a news release by the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico.
The corridor was recently transferred from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Defense and is now being treated as an extension of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca, the news release said.
The land is subject to military patrols and surveillance, with "U.S. troops authorized to temporarily detain and transfer individuals to federal law enforcement for prosecution."
Title 50 charges carry potential penalties of up to one year in prison, in addition to any other immigration-related offenses, the release noted.
'Trespassers into the National Defense Area will be Federally prosecuted—no exceptions,' U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison said in the news release.
The charges in New Mexico came as a second military zone created in the El Paso area, which will be part of the Fort Bliss Army base. The area stretches about 53 miles east to the border community of Fort Hancock.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on Twitter; natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook.
More: El Pasoan residents march to demand respect for border community's dignity and rights
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 82 people face charges for crossing into New Mexico military zone
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