Authored by Timothy Frudd via The Epoch Times,
The Trump administration banned unauthorized drone activity along the U.S.-Mexico border on Oct. 16 to increase airspace security as it cracks down on drug cartel drone operations.
The ban, established through a temporary flight restriction for drones, was announced in a joint statement by the Department of War, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Transportation. Friday's announcement comes as U.S. officials have warned that the United States faces thousands of drone incursions at the southern border each month.
The new temporary flight restriction took effect Friday and prohibits any unauthorized drones from operating up to 400 feet above ground level. The restriction extends one nautical mile north of the U.S.-Mexico border.
"The United States government will maintain 100% operational control of our border: land, air, and sea," Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said in a statement. "For too long, cartels have taken advantage of gaps along our southern border. Thanks to President Donald J. Trump, those days are over."
Friday's joint announcement said the flight restriction for drones along the southern border builds upon the administration's previous efforts to secure the border and defend against national security threats, such as illegal cartel operations. The departments said the restriction will reduce risks to continued border security operations.
Hegseth said that the Trump
