• A federal judge dismissed trespassing charges against 98 migrants apprehended in a new military zone in New Mexico.
• The judge ruled migrants were not adequately informed they were entering a military area, nullifying the charges.
• U.S. officials had charged almost 400 migrants under the new policy designed to deter illegal crossings.
• The ruling represents a legal setback for the Trump administration’s border enforcement strategy.
• Remaining charges for illegal crossing still stand against the dismissed migrants.

A federal magistrate judge in New Mexico has dismissed trespassing charges against 98 migrants who were arrested for entering a newly established military zone along the U.S.-Mexico border. In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Judge Gregory Wormuth stated that the government had not demonstrated that the migrants were aware they were entering the “New Mexico National Defense Area,” which the Trump administration designated as a military zone. This area spans approximately 180 miles along the border, and the decision adds to the ongoing legal confusion surrounding the enforcement measures implemented by the administration, according to NY Times and Reuters.

According to court documents, the magistrate judge began dismissing charges on May 15, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish probable cause that the migrants knowingly entered the military zone. “The criminal complaint fails to establish probable cause to believe the defendant knew he/she was entering” a restricted area, Judge Wormuth wrote, aligning with the defense's argument that alert signs in the region were inadequate for informing migrants of their unlawful status, reports ABC News and HuffPost.

The legal actions stem from a broader initiative announced by the Trump administration, which established military zones to deter undocumented migration. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has emphasized the military's role in achieving “100% operational control” over the border, noting potential fines and lengthy prison sentences for migrants. However, the recent dismissals are seen as a significant setback for these enforcement strategies as many involved still face less severe charges for illegal entry, according to Al Jazeera and ABC News.

As the situation evolves, the possibility remains that federal prosecutors may choose to refile the dismissed charges. The initial arrests, prompted by the declaration of military zones, reflect ongoing tensions around immigration policy and border security under the current administration, according to Reuters and HuffPost.