Annexed militarized zones on public land will soon cover nearly one-third of the U.S. border with Mexico, empowering soldiers to arrest people who cross the border illegally and facilitating new criminal trespassing charges.

Texas, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, told Border Report that the military is looking at possibly establishing more National Defense Areas -- or military zones -- along the border in Webb, Starr and Zapata counties.

The Pentagon is establishing a fourth military defense zone along the U.S.-Mexico border, where American soldiers can apprehend noncitizens on charges of trespassing, Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Wednesday.