U.S. hands 110,000 acres of border land to Army

The Trump administration has approved the emergency transfer of nearly 110,000 acres of federal land along the U.S.-Mexico border to the Army, in a move aimed at tightening border security.

The Interior Department said on Tuesday the land will be under Army control for the next three years. The transfer, covering areas in New Mexico and other border states, marks one of the largest reallocations of public land for defence purposes in recent years.

"Securing our border and protecting our nation's resources go hand in hand," said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, calling the decision part of the Trump administration's broader national security agenda.

The announcement signals a renewed push by the administration to use executive authority to support border enforcement. It also comes amid continued debate over immigration and federal land use.

The Interior Department said the handover reflects a commitment to public safety and "responsible stewardship" of U.S. land.

Critics say the move may trigger legal and environmental challenges, especially from groups concerned about wildlife corridors and Indigenous land rights in the region. The Army has not yet detailed how the land will be used operationally.

Copied