Topline
The Trump administration is considering plans to have the U.S. military control a buffer zone along the southern border and temporarily hold migrants who enter the country illegally, The Washington Post reported Wednesday, as President Donald Trump has moved to accelerate his push for immigration enforcement in recent weeks.
Key Facts
The plans would establish a military-controlled, 60-foot-deep buffer zone along the southern border that could extend from west Texas near El Paso to the Pacific Ocean in Southern California north of Tijuana, Mexico, five U.S. officials familiar with the deliberations told the Post.
A senior Trump administration official said it is not clear whether Trump would approve the plan, though other officials argued the zone would likely establish enhanced penalties for migrants in the zone who were caught entering the U.S. illegally, including an expedited deportation process.
Trump ordered thousands of active-duty troops to the southern border shortly after his inauguration in January, and about 10,000 service members are involved in border security efforts as of this month.
The Defense Department announced a joint task force earlier this month that would help “secure and seal the southern border,” with a headquarters at Fort Huachuca in Arizona, and the buffer zone would likely be designated as a temporary annex for nearby military installations like Huachuca, officials told the Post.
Neither the Defense Department nor the Department of Homeland Security immediately responded to requests for comment.
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What Is A Buffer Zone?
A buffer zone is a neutral area separating two areas that is observed, patrolled and sometimes occupied by military forces. The zones are often used to mitigate disputes between two bordering countries.
Could Trump Create A Military Buffer Zone Along The Southern Border?
It’s not immediately clear whether the Trump administration can militarize a buffer zone along the southern border. Senior Pentagon officials have inquired about possible legal complications that may arise from U.S. troops temporarily holding migrants, the Post reported, and the plans may conflict with the Posse Comitatus Act, which prevents active-duty troops from civilian law enforcement.
Further Reading
Trump Team Makes Plans For Military To Hold Migrants At Border (Washington Post)