• Trump directs military to take control of federal lands at the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Military tasks include construction of barriers and monitoring equipment.
• The memorandum emphasizes a direct military role in border security.
• Illegal crossings have reportedly decreased despite increased military presence.
• The plan raises questions regarding the legality of military involvement in law enforcement.

President Trump has authorized the military to take control of federal lands along the southern border, citing a need to address perceived threats to national security. In a memorandum released on Friday, the president stated, "Our southern border is under attack from a variety of threats," highlighting the complexity of the current situation as justification for military intervention in border security according to CBS News.

The directive specifically addresses the Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot-wide strip of land stretching across California, Arizona, and New Mexico, transferring jurisdiction from various federal departments to the Department of Defense. The planned military activities include constructing a border wall and placing detection and monitoring equipment in the area, solidifying military oversight over critical border security operations according to The New York Times.

Under this memorandum, military personnel could temporarily detain migrants for trespassing on military property before transferring them to the Department of Homeland Security. This aspect raises concerns about compliance with the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in civilian law enforcement roles. Critics argue that such actions could violate established legal norms, as noted by Salon.

Despite these controversial measures, reports indicate a significant decrease in illegal crossings at the border, with the Trump administration celebrating record low encounters in recent months. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem mentioned during a cabinet meeting that recent data reflected a "second consecutive month of record low encounters" at the border, suggesting that the current strategies may be yielding results according to The Hill.

The implementation will be assessed within 45 days, allowing for limited operations before potentially expanding the military's role along the border. The directive represents a shift towards a more militarized approach to border security during Trump's tenure, aimed at fortifying the U.S. southern border against illegal immigration and other perceived threats according to Newsweek.