DEMING – Two Mexican nationals have been convicted for unlawfully entering a military-restricted area in southern New Mexico, marking the first convictions since the designation of defense zones along the U.S.-Mexico border.
According to KRQE-TV, U.S. Attorney for New Mexico Brian Ellison confirmed that Andres de los Santos-Martinez and Eduardo Herrera-Juarez each pleaded guilty to entering the restricted national defense area on June 1. These zones were established earlier this year under the Trump Administration, stretching across 170 miles of the New Mexico and Texas border.
Federal officials say the defense zones are aimed at strengthening border control and curbing illegal immigration. Despite opposition from some Democrats, Ellison defended the measure, stating on June 11, “Border security is national security, it is every nation’s fundamental right and indeed, it’s responsibility to know exactly who and what is coming across our borders.”
Both men now face a potential sentence of up to one year in federal prison.
Stay with KDEM-FM and KOTS-AM for more updates on this developing story and other state news.
\n