Judge dismisses charges for 98 migrants who crossed into New Mexico military zone
Trespassing charges for dozens who crossed into a new military zone in New Mexico have been dismissed by a federal judge.
Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Gregory Wormuth began filing dismissals late Wednesday into Thursday, reported Reuters, citing court documents. Wormuth ruled that migrants did not know they were entering the New Mexico military zone and therefore could not be charged.
A total of 98 people had the trespassing charges dropped, according to ABC News.
The migrants still face charges for crossing the border illegally, reported Reuters.
Dozens have received 'Title 50' charges for crossing into military defense property, a 170-square-mile strip along the base of New Mexico, also known as the Roosevelt Reservation, according to a news release by the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico.
The corridor was recently transferred from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Defense and is now being treated as an extension of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca, the news release said.
The land is subject to military patrols and surveillance, with "U.S. troops authorized to temporarily detain and transfer individuals to federal law enforcement for prosecution."
According to Reuters, Wormuth pushed back against the trespassing charges and ordered New Mexico U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison, who filed the first trespassing charges, to show proof that migrants arrested in the New Mexico zone knew they had entered a restricted area.
Defense attorneys argued that warning signs in the area were inadequate to inform migrants they were committing a crime, a position Wormuth agreed with, Reuters reported.
A second military zone has also been created in the El Paso area, which will be part of the Fort Bliss Army base. The area stretches about 53 miles east to the border community of Fort Hancock.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on Twitter; natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook.
More: Amnesty International report finds disregard for human rights in El Paso ICE facility
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Charges dismissed for migrants who crossed into military zone
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