Crossing into New Mexico defense area now bringing federal charges

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced this week that federal prosecutors filed more than 170 immigration-related criminal charges in a one-week period, highlighting the scale of ongoing enforcement along the southern border and in newly designated federal security zones in the state.

According to statistics released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the charges were filed during the one-week period ending April 3, 2026, in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Federal prosecutors reported that 70 individuals were charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation under federal law (8 U.S.C. § 1326), a felony offense that applies to individuals who return to the United States after previously being deported. Another 18 individuals were charged with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. § 1325), which is typically a misdemeanor offense.

In addition, 3 individuals were charged with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. § 1324), a more serious charge often associated with organized border smuggling operations.

A significant number of the cases — 82 individuals — were charged with Illegal Entry, violation of a military security regulation, and Entering Military, Naval, or Coast Guard Property. Federal officials say these charges stem from individuals entering areas now designated as part of a newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico, where additional federal restrictions and penalties apply.

Federal prosecutors noted that many of the individuals charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation had prior criminal convictions, including narcotics trafficking, domestic violence, unlawful possession of firearms, alien smuggling, receipt of stolen property, and prior immigration offenses.

The cases are part of a broader federal initiative known as Operation Take Back America, which the Department of Justice describes as a nationwide effort to use federal resources to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and reduce violent crime tied to cross-border activity.

“These statistics represent prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico only,” the office said in its announcement, noting that the numbers do not include individuals who were apprehended by immigration authorities but processed through administrative immigration proceedings rather than criminal court.

The District of New Mexico covers all 33 counties in the state and includes approximately 180 miles of international border with Mexico, making it one of the key regions for federal immigration enforcement activity. Assistant U.S. Attorneys based in Albuquerque and Las Cruces work with law enforcement agencies across the region to prosecute immigration-related offenses and other federal crimes.

Federal officials said that under current leadership, public safety and border security remain top priorities, and that increased enforcement efforts have resulted in the prosecution of individuals involved in unlawful activity, including human trafficking, sexual assault, and crimes involving violence against children.

The weekly enforcement statistics provide a snapshot of how federal immigration enforcement is increasingly being handled through the criminal court system in New Mexico, particularly in areas near the border and in federally controlled security zones, where penalties can be significantly more severe than standard illegal entry charges.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that it will continue working with federal, state, and local partners across New Mexico as part of ongoing border enforcement operations.