Yuma, Arizona – National Defense Zone in the Works

The U.S. military is gearing up to create a national defense zone in Yuma as part of a larger initiative to bolster security along the southern border. While there’s no set timeline for this, officials from the Yuma Border Patrol have indicated that the new area will extend eastward toward the Tucson sector, covering much of the eastern part of the city.

This action parallels efforts previously seen in Texas and New Mexico, and the national defense zone (NDZ) is intended to empower troops to assist in detaining migrants and unauthorized persons found within certain areas. Authorities believe this NDZ will similarly enhance enforcement efforts and facilitate arrests in more remote sections.

Michelle Wysneski, Assistant Chief Patrol Agent in Yuma, mentioned that the proposed zone would include parts of the border where the existing wall has gaps, making these spots more susceptible.

“There will be Department of Defense representatives who can enter these areas, detain individuals, and then transfer them to us,” she noted.

At present, over 100 troops from Task Force Forge and Task Force Apollo are actively assisting in Yuma, supporting the operations of the Border Patrol.

In addition to this local effort, agents from the Yuma sector have also been deployed to other southern border areas. Wysneski highlighted that agents have been dispatched to regions like Philadelphia, New York City, and Los Angeles, reflecting a trend of increasing border patrol activities in urban centers nationwide.

These cities have recently experienced heightened tensions regarding immigration enforcement, with protests arising in response to new federal immigration policies.

Interestingly, despite the intensified focus on enforcement, Yuma is seeing one of the lowest tallies of apprehensions in years, averaging only six to seven arrests per day. Authorities have pointed out that not every incident is directly linked to the border situation.