Mon May 05 15:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Second Military Zone Established at Texas-Mexico Border Amidst Low Crossing Numbers

**El Paso, TX** – The U.S. military has established a second military zone along the Texas-Mexico border near El Paso, sparking debate over the deployment of troops amidst historically low illegal border crossings. The new zone, part of Fort Bliss Army base, stretches approximately 53 miles east towards Fort Hancock. This follows the creation of a similar zone in New Mexico last month, where a group of migrants were recently arrested for violating security regulations.

General Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command, stated the expanded military presence aims to increase effectiveness in deterring illegal activity. However, critics argue that the militarization of the border is unnecessary and counterproductive, especially given the significant drop in border crossings. March 2025 saw a dramatic 87% decrease in migrant encounters in the El Paso sector compared to August 2024.

Legal experts point to the Posse Comitatus Act, which generally prohibits the military from enforcing civilian laws. They argue that while exceptions exist, using the military for immigration enforcement reinforces the narrative of a border “invasion,” a claim disputed by the low crossing numbers. Concerns have also been raised about the potential impact on humanitarian aid efforts, particularly in light of a sharp increase in migrant deaths in the El Paso sector. According to No More Deaths, a migrant aid group, at least 176 migrant deaths were recorded in 2024, compared to just one in 2014.

Advocacy groups like the Hope Border Institute express concern about the further criminalization of migrants seeking asylum and the broader implications of increased border militarization. The deployment of troops remains a controversial issue, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding border security and immigration policy.

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