Army Sgt. Drew Scheffer, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, provides surveillance over the southern border near Santa Teresa, N.M. on April 12. (Department of Defense)
As part of their new duties, the service members can search and temporarily detain trespassers on the NMNDA, as well as provide medical care and implement crowd control measures, until appropriate law enforcement can take them into custody.
Task force members can also assist with the installation of temporary barriers, signage, and fencing upon request.
"Through these enhanced authorities, U.S. Northern Command will ensure those who illegally trespass in the New Mexico National Defense Area are handed over to Customs and Border Protection or our other law enforcement partners," said USNORTHCOM Gen. Gregory Guillot. "Joint Task Force-Southern Border will conduct enhanced detection and monitoring, which will include vehicle and foot patrols, rotary wing, and fixed surveillance site operations."
USNORTHCOM was named as the Defense Department's operational lead for the employment of U.S. military forces to carry out President Donald Trump’s southern border executive orders.
TRUMP ORDERS MILITARY TO TAKE CONTROL OF FEDERAL LAND AT SOUTHERN BORDER
This split shows the southern border wall and troops at the border. (Getty Images)
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"Any law enforcement actions to apprehend individuals suspected of illegal entry must be conducted only by non-DoD law enforcement personnel and National Guard personnel in a non-federalized status accompanying these patrols," the DOD said at the time.
Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.
Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-military-stationed-border-new-mexico-national-defense-area-can-detain-illegal-migrants