Map Shows Where US Army to Take Control of Mexico Border

The U.S. Army will take control of almost 110,000 acres of federal land along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced on Tuesday that the land would be transferred to the the Department of the Army to support U.S. Border Patrol for a period of three years.

Why It Matters

The land transfer marks a significant escalation in the federal government's efforts to address unauthorized immigration and transnational crime.

According to officials, shifting control of the area to the Army will allow for increased patrols, faster infrastructure development and more direct support for U.S. Border Patrol operations.

What To Know

The transfer affects 109,651 acres of land in California, Arizona and New Mexico, specifically along the border in areas overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The move is part of President Donald Trump's efforts to "seal the border." Earlier this month, the president issued a memo that authorized certain federal lands to be used for military use.

This includes the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide strip along the southern border spanning parts of New Mexico, California and Arizona that was created in 1907 to prevent smuggling between the U.S. and Mexico.

The DOI said on Tuesday that land being transferred to the Army includes ecologically sensitive terrain that serves as the habitat for 23 federally endangered species. The land is also home to cultural sites such as scattered artifacts and large, multiroom pueblos.

According to officials, unregulated foot and vehicle traffic from unauthorized border crossings has led to environmental degradation, including soil erosion, the destruction of vegetation and the accumulation of waste.

The Department of the Army requested the land following Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the southern border earlier this year.

The transfer is intended to eliminate delays caused by overlapping land use claims, allowing for faster military support and infrastructure deployment. Officials say the change is essential for curbing illegal migration, narcotics trafficking and human smuggling.

Jonathan B. Jarvis, executive director of UC Berkeley's Institute for Parks, People, and Diversity, told Newsweek he had some concerns about the deal.

"Over the last decade the NPS has developed a working relationship with Border Patrol to carry out their security with some sensitivity to the natural and cultural resources of the park," he said. "I would worry about having to restart that relationship with the Army, which has no experience operating in this area with sensitivity to the resources."

What People Are Saying

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a statement on Tuesday: "Securing our border and protecting our nation's resources go hand in hand. The American people gave President Trump a mandate to make America safe and strong again. This transfer reflects Interior's commitment to public safety, national security and responsible stewardship of our public lands."

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday: "Last week, President Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum directing federal agencies administering federal land on the border to make land available to the Defense Department in a new national defense area... This new national defense area spans more than 170 miles across our border in New Mexico. But in the coming weeks, this administration will add more than 90 miles in the state of Texas."

What Happens Next

The Army will control the land for three years, subject to valid existing rights, the DOI said.

Some of the affected land supports grazing and mining operations, and the BLM said it would coordinate with the Army to ensure these uses can continue.

Update 4/23/25, 6:33 a.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional comment.