US transfers land on Mexican border to the Army to prevent illegal crossings

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration announced an emergency transfer of nearly 110,000 acres of federal land along the US-Mexico border to the Army to prevent illegal immigration, the Interior Department said on Tuesday.

The land will be transferred to the Department of the Army for three years, the agency said.

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“Securing our border and protecting our nation’s resources go hand in hand,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. “The American people gave President Trump a mandate to make America safe and strong again. This transfer reflects Interior’s commitment to public safety, national security and responsible stewardship of our public lands.”