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The Department of Defense is establishing a National Defense Area in South Texas. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the creation of the defense area in Cameron and Hidalgo counties earlier this month.
Military personnel will be allowed to detain anyone who tries to illegally cross the border into the United States. Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez released a statement welcoming military service members while asking for more communication from the Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force.
Cortez said local leaders must understand the military’s mission and objectives so that everyone can work together to protect the public.
