A portion of the U.S.-Mexico border in California has been effectively rendered a militarized zone as the Trump administration placed it under Navy jurisdiction.
“The Department of the Interior will transfer jurisdiction of roughly 760 acres of public land in San Diego and Imperial Counties, California, to the Department of the Navy for a three-year period for the Navy to establish a National Defense Area to support ongoing border security operations,” a Department of the Interior press release announced Thursday.
“The withdrawal area stretches from the western boundary of the Otay Mountain Wilderness Area to about one mile west of the California–Arizona state line. This corridor is one of the highest traffic regions for unlawful crossings along the southern border, creating significant national security challenges and contributing to environmental degradation,” the press release continued.
The land was originally reserved by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907 for border protection purposes and will now be used by the Navy” to strengthen operational capabilities while reducing ecological harm associated with sustained illegal activity,” the Department noted.
By working with @USNavy to close long-standing security gaps, we are strengthening national defense, protecting our public lands from unlawful use and advancing @POTUS‘ agenda to put the safety and security of the American people FIRST! https://t.co/c2oYAdOeht
— Secretary Doug Burgum (@SecretaryBurgum) December 10, 2025
“President Trump has made it clear that securing our border and restoring American sovereignty are top national priorities,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
“This action delivers on that commitment. By working with the Navy to close long-standing security gaps, we are strengthening national defense, protecting our public lands from unlawful use, and advancing the President’s agenda to put the safety and security of the American people first,” he added.
The Department noted that it worked “closely” with the Navy “to ensure the action is both lawful and targeted, reinforcing the historic role public lands have played in safeguarding national sovereignty.”
Other national defense areas have also been established by the administration in the past months, including sites in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, following the president’s executive order in January declaring illegal immigration a national emergency.
Wednesday’s announcement of the new militarized zone comes as a federal judge ordered the administration to return control of the California National Guard in Los Angeles to the state.
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Frieda@bizpacreview.com
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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