The Mexican American Border has been a focal point of national debate and policy for decades. A recent presidential action has brought renewed attention to this critical area, declaring a national emergency at the southern border of the United States. This declaration cites a range of threats, asserting that America’s sovereignty is under attack.
This proclamation outlines a situation where the southern border is described as overrun by cartels, criminal gangs, terrorists, human traffickers, and smugglers, alongside the flow of illicit narcotics. It argues that this “invasion” has led to widespread chaos, suffering, and tragic loss of American lives. The document emphasizes the control exerted by cartels in territories south of the border, impacting who can travel to the United States. The high number of American deaths due to drug overdoses linked to narcotics crossing the southern border is also highlighted as a critical factor.
The declaration asserts that this situation constitutes a grave threat to the nation, necessitating immediate action. It states that the Armed Forces are required to assist the Department of Homeland Security in achieving full operational control of the southern border. The stated purpose is to protect U.S. citizens, defend states against invasion, and ensure the faithful execution of laws by stopping illegal entry at the southern border.
Deployment of Armed Forces and Resources
To address the declared national emergency at the Mexican American border, the proclamation mandates the deployment of Armed Forces personnel and resources. The Secretary of Defense is directed to order units and members of the military, including резервистов and the National Guard, to support the Department of Homeland Security. This deployment aims to achieve complete operational control of the southern border.
The support includes providing detention space, transportation (including aircraft), and logistical services to aid civilian law enforcement operations along the Mexican American border. This signifies a significant escalation in the use of military resources to manage border security.
Construction of Additional Physical Barriers
A key component of the strategy to secure the Mexican American border involves the construction of additional physical barriers. The Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security are instructed to take immediate action to build these barriers. This directive aims to enhance border security infrastructure and impede illegal crossings.
Coordination with willing state governors is also mentioned, indicating a desire for collaboration in deploying physical infrastructure to improve operational security at the southern border. This focus on physical barriers reflects a strategy of deterrence and control through enhanced infrastructure.
Measures Against Unmanned Aerial Systems and Policy Revisions
Beyond physical barriers and troop deployment, the proclamation addresses the threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS) near the Mexican American border. The Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Communications Commission are directed to consider waiving regulations that might restrict the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to counter UAS within a 5-mile zone of the southern border. This measure suggests concerns about aerial surveillance or illicit activities utilizing drones in the border region.
Furthermore, the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, are tasked with revising policies and strategies. The priority is to impede and deny unauthorized entry across the southern border, with an emphasis on the safety and security of Department of Homeland Security personnel and members of the Armed Forces in use-of-force policies.
Revocation and Reporting Requirements
The proclamation includes a revocation of a prior proclamation from January 20, 2021, which had terminated the previous emergency declaration related to the southern border and redirected funds allocated for border wall construction. This revocation signifies a reversal of the previous policy and a return to a state of declared emergency.
Finally, the document establishes reporting requirements. The Secretary of Defense is required to submit a report within 30 days outlining actions taken to fulfill the proclamation’s objectives. Additionally, within 90 days, a joint report from the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security is mandated, assessing conditions at the southern border and recommending any further actions, including the potential invocation of the Insurrection Act of 1807.
Conclusion: Implications of the National Emergency Declaration
The declaration of a national emergency at the Mexican American border represents a significant policy shift and underscores the perceived severity of the situation at the southern border. It authorizes the deployment of military resources, the construction of physical barriers, and the revision of policies to enhance border security. The focus is on regaining operational control of the border and addressing the threats identified in the proclamation. The long-term implications of this declaration and the actions taken under it will continue to shape the landscape of the Mexican American border region and U.S.-Mexico relations.
