The Trump administration has established a new military zone along the Mexico border, aiming to crack down on illegal immigration. The zone is a 6-foot-wide strip located at a military base in New Mexico and has been labeled as a “National Defense Area.” Additionally, the region is now recognized as the “Texas National Defense Area.”

The latest military zone is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration, which has also increased troop presence along the southern border to enforce its policy of deporting millions of illegal immigrants.

Around 11,900 troops have been deployed to the southwestern border, contributing to a sharp decrease in the number of illegal crossings. Government data shows that in March, illegal border crossings dropped to their lowest levels in history.

Trump’s administration has aggressively pushed forward its deportation plans, setting a record for removals in the first quarter of 2025.

According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), over 271,000 people have been deported, the highest number in almost ten years.

Most deportations (around 80%) occurred at the US-Mexico border, with a notable rise in deportations from within the country as well.

ICE has particularly focused on undocumented migrants from Latin American countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. However, deportations of individuals from other parts of the world have also increased, with a 334% rise in deportations of people without criminal records.

The number of deported Asian nationals has also spiked, with about 1,500 Indian nationals sent back in the first half of 2025.