Donald Trump plans come after he recently enforced an 18th-century wartime law
Donald Trump is thought to be pressing forward with his plans to have a large military presence on the US/Mexico border.
Trump Wields Centuries-Old Law to Fast-Track Deportations
Staying true to his hardline stance on immigration, Donald Trump has deported 250 alleged criminals to El Salvador’s infamous mega-prison—a move made possible by invoking a rarely used 18th-century law.
The Alien Enemies Act of 1798, originally enacted to combat spying and sabotage during hostilities with France, grants the president sweeping authority to deport foreign nationals deemed a threat. According to NPR, this law has only been used three times in U.S. history, exclusively during major wars.
But Trump’s crackdown isn’t stopping there. Reports suggest his administration is now pushing to militarize sections of the southern border, signaling an escalation in his fight against illegal migration.
With the power of historic legislation and a renewed focus on border enforcement, Trump is proving he’s willing to go to unprecedented lengths to reshape U.S. immigration policy. But just how far will he go?
Trump’s Border Crackdown: Military to Detain Migrants in ‘Buffer Zone’
In a dramatic escalation of his immigration enforcement efforts, Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to militarize sections of the southern border, effectively turning parts of it into military-run detention zones.
According to The Washington Post, the proposed plan would allow military personnel to temporarily hold migrants attempting to cross the border illegally—a controversial move that could redirect a significant portion of the Defense Department’s massive budget toward Trump’s immigration policies.
This so-called ‘buffer zone’—measuring around 60 feet deep—would function as a satellite military installation, potentially stretching all the way to California. Within this zone, soldiers would be authorized to detain trespassers until Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrive, as military personnel lack the legal authority to make arrests outside of a military base.
If implemented, the plan could fundamentally alter the landscape of U.S. border enforcement, intensifying the already heated debate over Trump’s aggressive approach to immigration.
Legal Hurdles: Can Trump’s Military Border Crackdown Hold Up?
While Trump’s border militarization plans may seem aggressive, they face significant legal roadblocks—most notably, the Posse Comitatus Act.
This 143-year-old law prohibits the U.S. military from acting as a domestic police force, unless explicitly authorized by Congress. The Brennan Center for Justice warns that military involvement in civilian law enforcement is a direct threat to democracy and personal liberty.
“The Posse Comitatus Act bars federal troops from participating in civilian law enforcement except when expressly authorized by law,” the organization explains.
With strict legal barriers in place and military officials lacking arrest authority, Trump’s proposed ‘buffer zone’ strategy could face serious constitutional challenges.
When asked about the situation, the U.S. Department of Defense told UNILAD:
“We have nothing to announce at this time.”
As the debate intensifies, the fate of Trump’s immigration crackdown remains uncertain—but one thing is clear: the legal battle is just beginning.
