On April 11, 2025, the White House released a memorandum detailing a military mission aimed at securing the southern border of the United States. The memorandum highlights the necessity for military involvement due to perceived threats and seeks to enhance the border’s integrity, sovereignty, and security. It specifies actions that various executive department secretaries are required to take to support military activities, including the use of federal lands for border security operations.

The memorandum instructs the Secretary of Defense and other cabinet members to implement this mission in phases, starting with a limited area of federal lands. It permits the construction of barriers and the installation of monitoring equipment while ensuring the safety of military personnel involved in these efforts. The document states that the military’s role must align with existing laws and establishes the framework for jurisdiction over certain federal lands to facilitate these activities.

In addition to providing operational guidelines, the memorandum clarifies that it does not create any enforceable rights for individuals against the federal government. It emphasizes that military involvement will be carried out in accordance with relevant legal standards and budgetary provisions. Overall, this initiative marks a significant step in the administration’s strategy for border security, reflecting ongoing concerns regarding national safety.

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