8 sources·Politics

Trump Administration Transfers Border Zone to Military Control for Security Measures

President Trump has granted military control over the Roosevelt Reservation, enabling troops to detain migrants despite potential legal challenges under the Posse Comitatus Act.

13%

38%

50%

The distribution of story sources: left-leaning (blue), center (light gray), and right-leaning (red).

Mostly Reliable

The underlying sources are generally reliable but sometimes include opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.

Balanced

The underlying sources are either a balanced mix of left and right or primarily centrist.

The land transfer is the furthest the Trump administration has gone yet to use the military for border security.
US Army to control land on Mexico border as part of base, migrants could be detained, officials say
Chicago Tribune·4d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The transfer of that border zone to military control — and making it part of an Army installation — is an attempt by the Trump administration to get around a federal law that prohibits U.S. troops from being used in domestic law enforcement on American soil.
US Army to control land on Mexico border as part of base, migrants could be detained, officials say
Boston Herald·4d
Mostly Reliable
This source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.
·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.
The transfer of that border zone to military control — and making it part of an Army installation — is an attempt by the Trump administration to get around a federal law that prohibits U.S. troops from being used in domestic law enforcement on American soil.
US Army to control federal land along US-Mexico border
Military Times·4d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The transfer of that border zone to military control — and making it part of an Army installation — is an attempt by the Trump administration to get around a federal law that prohibits U.S. troops from being used in domestic law enforcement on American soil.
US Army to control land on Mexico border as part of base, migrants could be detained, officials say
Boston Globe·4d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.
The transfer of that border zone to military control — and making it part of an Army installation — is an attempt by the Trump administration to get around a federal law that prohibits U.S. troops from being used in domestic law enforcement on American soil.
US Army to control land on Mexico border as part of base, migrants could be detained, officials say
Associated Press·4d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The complexity of the current situation requires that our military take a more direct role in securing our southern border than in the recent past.
Trump authorizes military to lock down border from illegal crossings
The Blaze·5d
Mostly Reliable
This source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.
·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.
The transfer of that border zone to military control — and making it part of an Army installation — is an attempt by the Trump administration to get around a federal law that prohibits U.S. troops from being used in domestic law enforcement on American soil.
US Army to Control Land on Mexico Border as Part of Base, Migrants Could be Detained, Officials Say
Newsmax·5d
Mixed Reliable
This source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.
·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

Sort highlights

Updated: Apr 14th, 2025, 6:28 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

President Trump has transferred control of a section of the Roosevelt Reservation along the U.S.-Mexico border to the Department of Defense, allowing the Army to detain trespassers, including migrants. This move aims to bypass the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military involvement in domestic law enforcement. The 60-foot-wide corridor, previously managed by the Interior Department, will undergo a 45-day test phase during which the Army will enhance security with fencing. Legal experts have raised concerns about potential court challenges, citing that military actions must not primarily focus on law enforcement, a point likely to be contested.

Perspectives

Compare opinions on this story from liberal (Left), conservative (Right) or center-leaning news organizations.

Trump's directive to transfer control of the Roosevelt Reservation to the military represents an attempt to circumvent the Posse Comitatus Act by framing border security activities as military operations, which may lead to legal challenges.
The military's increased role in border security could blur the lines between military and domestic law enforcement, raising significant legal and ethical concerns about the use of military forces in traditionally civilian law enforcement matters.
The move to test military control over border areas has stirred controversy, as it marks a departure from previous practices, shifting from supportive roles to more direct involvement in detaining migrants.

FAQs

A list of follow-up questions readers often ask about this story.

No FAQs available for this story.

History

A summary of how this story has evolved over the last 24 hours.