Public lands along border will form militarized zone

Trump's move, new to California, threatens both immigrants and citizens, says ACLU.

- BY RUBEN VIVES

ROBERT GAUTHIER Los Angeles Times

THE ALL-AMERICAN Canal runs along the U.S.-Mexico border in Imperial County. The new National Defense Area will reach Arizona.

The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it plans to create a militarized zone along the U.S.-Mexico border in California to support border security operations for three years, the latest in a controversial series of moves aimed at securing the border amid the government's immigration crackdown.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a written statement that the agency plans to transfer about 760 acres of public land in San Diego and Imperial counties to the Department of the Navy, which will establish a National Defense Area to support border operations.

It's the first time in decades that a large swath of public land has been transferred from the federal government to the military to establish a militarized zone along the U.S.-Mexico border in California.

But the Trump administration had taken similar actions elsewhere along the border this year — including in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas — as part of a larger campaign that included sending thousands of troops and military gear to the area.

Border crossings have hit new lows since President Trump took office. In September, Southwest border apprehensions totaled 11,647, compared with 101,790 for the same month in 2024.