Politics
Hegseth Issues Stern Warning To Illegal Aliens, Vows To Increase Military’s Border Presence
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a blunt warning to any illegal aliens thinking of crossing into the United States through land controlled by the U.S. military, stating that they will immediately be apprehended and criminally charged.
Last week, the Department of Defense annexed a 63-mile stretch of land near El Paso as part of Fort Bliss. It’s the second new “National Defense Area” established along the southern border in as many months.
A similar zone located in New Mexico has been deemed part of Fort Huachuca in Arizona. Active duty troops stationed at the zones — which cover large swaths of rugged, wide open border lands — have been given expanded powers to detain illegal alien trespassers.
Fort Huachuca has already seen more than 80 migrants charged under Title 50, a National Defense law that can be used for trespassing on military bases.
Hegseth meets with service members deployed to the New Mexico National Defense Area on April 25, 2025
In a video statement released Friday, Hegseth outlined the expanding military presence along the border and warned any illegal aliens thinking of crossing into the United States through the zones will face serious criminal penalties.
“Two weeks ago we were down on the border when we established the first national defense area. Basically, think about the border, it’s similar to a military installation. If you trespass, you will be charged,” the defense secretary said.
Hegseth further revealed that the Department of Defense has deployed more than 2,000 troops since the National Defense Areas were established, adding that more than 1,300 signs have been placed within the zones.
“So the border space that DOD is allowed to take actions inside is growing and growing,” Hegseth continued. “But so are the prosecutions. And that’s what I want to remind any illegal thinking about entering our country. Combined charges to illegal aliens entering the national defense areas and damaging any government property, which is basically what happens when you trespass, could get a total of up to 10 years in prison.”
He further noted that simply entering the National Defense Area could lead to criminal charges.
“You do other things, could be even more. So far, DOJ has already charged more than 100 illegal aliens with these crimes. That number will continue to climb.The number of national defense areas will continue to climb. The barbed wire will climb. The troops will climb because we’re gonna get 100 percent operational control of the border. And when you cross illegally, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by the Department of Justice.”
Hegseth concluded by affirming that the days of drug cartels and human smugglers enjoying free rein over southern border territories are over.
“You see, back in the day when the cartels would look across the border, if they saw camouflage, you know, guys with binoculars, they knew that was somewhere they could cross because the military didn’t have the authorities to actually detain temporarily. Now we do,” the defense secretary said.
“And so if you see guys in camouflage now with binoculars or in striker vehicles with rifles, they have the authority to detain illegals temporarily and assist Border Patrol, to hand them over and now to be charged by the Department of Justice.”
