Illegal Aliens Crossing Into National Defense Areas Face 10 Years in Prison, 100 Charged [WATCH]

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that foreign nationals who unlawfully enter newly established U.S. National Defense Areas (NDAs) along the southern border may now face up to 10 years in prison under federal charges.

The announcement comes as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to increase security and deterrence in areas with high levels of illegal crossings.

In a video statement released this week, Hegseth confirmed that over 100 illegal immigrants have already been charged under the new enforcement protocol.

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The Department of Justice is leading prosecutions, and officials say more charges are forthcoming.

“So far, the DOJ has already charged more than 100 illegal aliens with these crimes,” Hegseth said.

“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 going to get 100% operational control of the border.”

Let me be clear: if you cross into the National Defense Area, you will be charged to the FULLEST extent of the law.

Just ask the 100 illegal aliens that have been charged so far. pic.twitter.com/CbAezwzrRD

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) May 9, 2025

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The National Defense Area designation, which was recently applied to a 170-mile stretch of federal land in New Mexico, allows for expanded authority by military personnel operating in those zones.

Under this designation, service members can temporarily detain individuals caught trespassing—similar to the procedures followed on domestic military installations.

This authority is structured to comply with the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the use of military forces in civilian law enforcement.

Hegseth, who toured the area last month, reported that over 2,000 military personnel are now stationed along the designated NDA in New Mexico.

According to the Defense Department, more than 1,300 warning signs have been installed to notify individuals of the legal consequences of entering the restricted zone.

The Department of Defense confirmed Thursday that a second National Defense Area will be established in Texas.

That site is expected to function similarly to the New Mexico zone, expanding the military’s operational reach along the southern border.

General Gregory Guillot, Commander of U.S. Northern Command, described the additional designation as a force multiplier.

“The establishment of a second National Defense Area increases our operational reach and effectiveness in denying illegal activity along the southern border,” Guillot said.

“This is the second area in which Joint Task Force – Southern Border service members who are already detecting and monitoring through stationary positions and mobile patrols nearby can now temporarily detain trespassers until they are transferred to an appropriate law enforcement entity.”

In case you don’t grasp how major this is:

Look again at how much AREA Trump and Hegseth just militarized and placed under US Military control.

It’s literally the ENTIRE US BORDER stretching from the city of San Diego on the coast of California, all the way to the city of El… pic.twitter.com/U5h4VtroSh

— Brian Cates – Political Columnist & Pundit (@drawandstrike) April 25, 2025

The Defense Department has not specified the exact location of the new Texas site but confirmed that planning is underway to install warning signs and deploy additional military units.

According to Hegseth, these moves are part of a broader national security strategy intended to prevent illegal entries and restore enforcement authority in regions where federal law enforcement and border officials have faced increasing pressure.

He reiterated that prosecutions for NDA trespassing offenses will proceed under the full authority of the Department of Justice and carry potential sentences of up to 10 years.

The initiative marks a significant expansion of the military’s role in border security under the Trump administration, particularly in zones experiencing persistent illegal crossings and trafficking activity.

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