Air Force Seizes Rio Grande – Leftists Rage

(ProsperNews.net) – President Trump’s Air Force expands military control over 190 more miles of Texas borderland, delivering a powerful victory against illegal immigration despite leftist cries of overreach.

Story Highlights

Air Force adds 190 miles of National Defense Areas (NDAs) along Rio Grande, turning federal lands into military installations for patrols and detentions.
Crossings plummeted to 444,000 in 2025 from 2.1 million in 2024, proving Trump’s policies work without Biden-era chaos.
Expansions enable Joint Base San Antonio to deploy helicopters, Strykers, and autonomous vessels, bolstering security against cartels.
Trump administration invests $5B+ in 2026 border ops, prioritizing American sovereignty over globalist open-border agendas.
Critics like Defense Priorities question necessity, but facts show enhanced enforcement protects families and communities.

NDA Expansions Strengthen Border Security

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced expansions of NDA 3 by 40 miles to Roma, Texas, and new NDA 6 spanning 150 miles from Falcon Dam to Del Rio in early February 2026. These additions cover 190 miles of Rio Grande borderland previously managed by the International Boundary and Water Commission. Joint Base San Antonio now oversees patrols using UH-72 helicopters, C-130 aircraft, Strykers, and Seasats Lightfish autonomous vessels deployed last month. This setup allows temporary detentions and heftier charges against trespassers, supporting Trump’s emergency declaration on border security.

Trump Policies Drive Record-Low Crossings

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports illegal crossings dropped sharply to 444,000 in 2025, down from 2.1 million in 2024 under Biden’s failed policies. Trump’s second term accelerated this success with initial NDAs covering one-third of the border by July 2025, following April establishments in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. Troops installed 43,000 rolls of concertina wire by late October 2025. Mexico’s Operation Northern Border in February 2025 seized fentanyl and firearms amid U.S. tariff pressure, further reducing flows. These measures restore operational control and protect American communities from drugs and crime.

Every soldier receives drone pilot training as the Air Force hones hub-and-spoke basing strategies, enhancing efficiency for border missions. An El Paso airport closure occurred briefly, likely tied to security operations, though details remain limited.

Overcoming Legal and Political Challenges

NDAs bypass Posse Comitatus Act limits by designating federal lands as military installations, enabling law enforcement without the Insurrection Act. This follows precedents like 2018-2019 deployments and a stayed December 2025 ruling on California National Guard use. Joint Task Force Southern Border under USNORTHCOM detains trespassers and deploys assets including the destroyer Cole. The Trump administration diverted over $2 billion from defense budgets in 2025 for operations, with $5 billion planned for 2026, prioritizing homeland defense over wasteful spending elsewhere.

Defending Against Leftist Criticisms

Critics including Jennifer Kavanagh of Defense Priorities call expansions unnecessary amid low crossings, while groups like WOLA and the Brennan Center claim they evade rights protections and normalize military immigration roles. Democratic senators highlight budget diversions, and the Southern Border Coalition notes impacts on wildlife and communities. Yet CBP data confirms plummeting migration, validating Trump’s National Security Strategy that deems border security primary. These efforts counter cartel threats with lethal force options, safeguarding conservative values of sovereignty and family safety against open-border radicalism. Limited data on El Paso closure underscores focus on verified enforcement gains.