Latest news with #NORTHCOM
Fox News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Pentagon sets up new 250 mile military buffer zone at border with crossings at record lows
Print Close By Michael Dorgan Published June 26, 2025 The Pentagon announced Wednesday that it is establishing an expansive new military buffer zone in Texas aimed at bolstering border security as illegal crossings continue to plummet to record lows. The zone, known as a National Defense Area (NDA), will span 250 miles along the Rio Grande River through Cameron and Hidalgo counties with temporary barriers and signage being set up to secure the area. Members of the Joint Task Force-Southern Border, under the direction of NORTHCOM will operate the zone and they will be responsible for monitoring and carrying out patrols. They will not carry out law enforcement duties but do have the authority to detain border and transfer them to Border Patrol. FEDERAL MAGISTRATE JUDGE DISMISSES TRESPASSING CHARGES AGAINST 98 ARRESTED IN NEW MILITARY ZONE The zone sits on land transferred from the International Boundary and Water Commission and will fall under the administration of Joint Base San Antonio, the Air Force announced. The designation marks the latest in a series of NDAs established to strengthen interagency coordination and bolster security operations along the U.S. southern border, the Air Force said. A 170-mile NDA was set up in New Mexico in April, attached to Fort Huachuca in Arizona while a 63-mile zone was established in West Texas attached to Fort Bliss in May, bringing the total area to well over 480 miles. "These efforts reflect USNORTHCOM's ongoing mission as the DoD's operational lead for homeland defense, ensuring the territorial integrity of the United States' southern border," the Air Force said. A 100-mile NDA will also be set up in Arizona, according to an ABC News report citing a U.S. official. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon to confirm this report. Despite the NDA's being set up this year, 98 illegal migrants who crossed into the New Mexico zone had their trespassing charges dismissed last month with a judge ruling the immigrants did not know they were entering the military zone – and therefore could not be charged, according to court documents. The new Texas NDA comes as the Trump administration continues to see record-low levels of illegal crossings. Between June 1 and June 22, there were 5,414 apprehensions at the border, with the busiest sector being El Paso. During that same timeframe, there have been 986 known "gotaways." Both numbers are the lowest ever recorded. 'MAIN HOTSPOT' AT NORTHERN BORDER RECORDS 95% DROP IN ILLEGAL MIGRANT APPREHENSIONS IN MARCH: WHITE HOUSE In May, there were just under 9,000 apprehensions of illegal immigrants at the border, compared with roughly 118,000 the year prior under the Biden administration by CBP. When President Donald Trump took office in January, the first 11 days saw only 9,086 encounters, and since the numbers have been roughly similar or lower since then. In 2023, there were points when roughly 10,000 migrants were crossing into the U.S. illegally daily, as many people were able to apply for asylum through the CBP One app. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Gotaway numbers are now averaging 46 per day, compared to the average of 1,833 per day at one point under Biden in 2023. Border czar Tom Homan said that zero illegal migrants were released into the U.S. in May. Fox News' Cameron Arcand and Bill Melugin contributed to this report. Print Close URL
The Sun
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Marines Deployed in LA Amid ICE Protest Unrest, Tensions Rise
NEW YORK: Roughly 200 US Marines took up position in Los Angeles on Friday to protect federal property and personnel after protests in the city against immigration raids. The deployment of the Marine Corps -- typically deployed abroad as a rapid strike force -- is highly unusual for domestic crowd-control scenarios inside the United States. Why were they called? Protests began last week after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted raids in and around Los Angeles. The gatherings were mostly peaceful but there were also incidents of vandalism and aggression towards ICE agents and local police. Some demonstrators breached curfews as they rallied by the downtown Federal Building and the nearby Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal prison holding immigrants. President Donald Trump first took the controversial step of "federalizing" thousands of California National Guard troops -- sending them to the area against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Shortly after, on Monday, the Trump administration announced that about 700 active-duty Marines would also be sent to Los Angeles. What will they do? US Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which has responsibility over US armed forces operating in North America, said the Marines will protect federal personnel and property. Major General Scott Sherman, who is leading the Los Angeles mission, said two companies of Marines were taking up position at the Wilshire Federal Building. Sherman said the Marines would "hold off crowds" as needed. Military members cannot arrest protesters as that is a law enforcement activity. But NORTHCOM said Marines could "temporarily detain an individual to stop an assault of, to prevent harm to, or to prevent interference with federal personnel performing their duties." Could they get more power? The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prevents the use of US federal troops such as Marines for domestic law enforcement activities. But that would change if Trump invoked the Insurrection Act, which lets the president deploy federal troops to suppress a violent rebellion on US soil. It was last used during the Los Angeles riots in 1992 following the acquittal of police officers involved in the beating of motorist Rodney King. Under the Insurrection Act, federal troops have the power to conduct searches and arrest people suspected of breaking the law. Trump has notably not ruled out using the act. "If there's an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it," he said this week. "We'll see."
The Sun
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
What will the US Marines do in Los Angeles?
NEW YORK: Roughly 200 US Marines took up position in Los Angeles on Friday to protect federal property and personnel after protests in the city against immigration raids. The deployment of the Marine Corps -- typically deployed abroad as a rapid strike force -- is highly unusual for domestic crowd-control scenarios inside the United States. Why were they called? Protests began last week after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted raids in and around Los Angeles. The gatherings were mostly peaceful but there were also incidents of vandalism and aggression towards ICE agents and local police. Some demonstrators breached curfews as they rallied by the downtown Federal Building and the nearby Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal prison holding immigrants. President Donald Trump first took the controversial step of "federalizing" thousands of California National Guard troops -- sending them to the area against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Shortly after, on Monday, the Trump administration announced that about 700 active-duty Marines would also be sent to Los Angeles. What will they do? US Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which has responsibility over US armed forces operating in North America, said the Marines will protect federal personnel and property. Major General Scott Sherman, who is leading the Los Angeles mission, said two companies of Marines were taking up position at the Wilshire Federal Building. Sherman said the Marines would "hold off crowds" as needed. Military members cannot arrest protesters as that is a law enforcement activity. But NORTHCOM said Marines could "temporarily detain an individual to stop an assault of, to prevent harm to, or to prevent interference with federal personnel performing their duties." Could they get more power? The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prevents the use of US federal troops such as Marines for domestic law enforcement activities. But that would change if Trump invoked the Insurrection Act, which lets the president deploy federal troops to suppress a violent rebellion on US soil. It was last used during the Los Angeles riots in 1992 following the acquittal of police officers involved in the beating of motorist Rodney King. Under the Insurrection Act, federal troops have the power to conduct searches and arrest people suspected of breaking the law. Trump has notably not ruled out using the act. "If there's an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it," he said this week. "We'll see."
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What will the US Marines do in Los Angeles?
Roughly 200 US Marines took up position in Los Angeles on Friday to protect federal property and personnel after protests in the city against immigration raids. The deployment of the Marine Corps -- typically deployed abroad as a rapid strike force -- is highly unusual for domestic crowd-control scenarios inside the United States. - Why were they called? - Protests began last week after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted raids in and around Los Angeles. The gatherings were mostly peaceful but there were also incidents of vandalism and aggression towards ICE agents and local police. Some demonstrators breached curfews as they rallied by the downtown Federal Building and the nearby Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal prison holding immigrants. President Donald Trump first took the controversial step of "federalizing" thousands of California National Guard troops -- sending them to the area against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Shortly after, on Monday, the Trump administration announced that about 700 active-duty Marines would also be sent to Los Angeles. - What will they do? - US Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which has responsibility over US armed forces operating in North America, said the Marines will protect federal personnel and property. Major General Scott Sherman, who is leading the Los Angeles mission, said two companies of Marines were taking up position at the Wilshire Federal Building. Sherman said the Marines would "hold off crowds" as needed. Military members cannot arrest protesters as that is a law enforcement activity. But NORTHCOM said Marines could "temporarily detain an individual to stop an assault of, to prevent harm to, or to prevent interference with federal personnel performing their duties." - Could they get more power? - The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prevents the use of US federal troops such as Marines for domestic law enforcement activities. But that would change if Trump invoked the Insurrection Act, which lets the president deploy federal troops to suppress a violent rebellion on US soil. It was last used during the Los Angeles riots in 1992 following the acquittal of police officers involved in the beating of motorist Rodney King. Under the Insurrection Act, federal troops have the power to conduct searches and arrest people suspected of breaking the law. Trump has notably not ruled out using the act. "If there's an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it," he said this week. "We'll see." cf/bjt/acb
Fox News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Marines to begin operations in Los Angeles Friday, ahead of nationwide anti-Trump protests
Los Angeles residents may begin seeing Marines in the area as soon as Thursday, with protection operations in coordination with the National Guard set to begin Friday. The 700 Marines were reportedly sent by President Donald Trump to Seal Beach, which is south of L.A. County, to train for nonlethal weapons training—including hand-to-hand combat and crowd control. Seal Beach training recently finished, and the Marines have moved to "familiarization" training alongside the National Guard in Los Angeles, a U.S. defense official told Fox News. "They are finishing up training and transitioning to a mission-familiarization phase alongside the 79th IBCT," the official said Thursday. "So it's possible you'll start seeing Marines in the L.A. area today. They have NOT officially begun operations yet." More than 2,000 National Guardsmen are still stationed in L.A., as protests are expected to continue through the weekend. "No Kings" protests against President Donald Trump and the administration are slated to take place in thousands of cities across the U.S. on Saturday, as the nation's capitol hosts a military parade for the Army's 250th anniversary and Flag Day. The protests also coincide with the president's 79th birthday. Though the Marines, acting under NORTHCOM's direction, are only tasked with protecting federal property and law enforcement, the cost of the military endeavor has drawn criticism. Officials estimated sending the Marines and National Guard to California will cost taxpayers about $134 million, taking away from the operations and maintenance budget. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing that the troops were necessary to keep the city and its residents safe. "[It's] not about lethality. It's about maintaining law and order on behalf of law enforcement agents who deserve to do their job without being attacked by mobs of people," Hegseth said. "We are very proud that the National Guard and the Marines are on the streets defending the ICE agents, and they will continue." Despite legal challenges by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Hegseth said there is "plenty of precedent" for the U.S. supporting law enforcement officers.
