Officials defend use of National Defense Areas along New Mexico's southern border
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The feds have made new military zones along the southern border a core piece of their strategy, cracking down on immigration, now New Mexico's top federal prosecutor is explaining and defending how the areas are being used.
Part of New Mexico's southern border now a military zone aimed at stopping illegal trespassing
Despite saying they've faced criticism about the 'National Defense Areas' being a waste of time and having little effect on illegal immigration, prosecutors said it's still an important tool they're not walking away from. 'Border security is National security, it is every nation's fundamental right and indeed it's responsibility to know exactly who and what is coming across our borders,' said District of New Mexico U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison.
'The message is: regardless, you're still getting removed. We're going to still bring them. We may win on them, we may not, but regardless, at the end of the day, you are not going to be allowed to stay, if you enter the country illegally,' said Justin Simmons, Assistant U.S. Attorney, West Texas.
There are now two National Defense Areas covering a 170-mile stretch of New Mexico and Texas along the southern border. The areas allow US military personnel to work alongside border patrol to prevent illegal border crossings, meaning anyone caught trespassing could face military prosecution, in addition to illegal immigration charges.
Prosecutors emphasized Wednesday that these areas and the increase in charges will take power away from Mexican cartels. 'Our goal, to be clear, is not just about illegal immigration. It is total eradication of drug cartels. And like it or not, illegal immigration feeds the wolf, that are Mexican drug cartels,' said Simmons.
Ellison also noted Wednesday the high number of repeat crossers and that moving forward, they should have an easier time convicting people who keep trying to cross the border. That's because anyone caught in the newer NDA's has to sign paperwork acknowledging what they did.
US Attorney Ellison also said around 500 people have already been charged in New Mexico under the newer National Defense Areas, about five times the number of people they'd charged in early May.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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