The U.S. government announced a new ban on unauthorized drone flights near the southern border with Mexico as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce border security and counter criminal cartel activity. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued three temporary flight restriction notices on Friday establishing a no-drone zone extending one nautical mile on either side of the border up to an altitude of 400 feet. These restrictions, designated as national defense airspace, will take effect Monday evening and remain in place for at least one year.

Under the new rules, any drone operating within the designated area without explicit permission from the Department of Homeland Security may be subject to being shot down. Pilots controlling such drones also face potential civil or criminal penalties. The announcement came jointly from the Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense, signaling a coordinated effort to address aerial security concerns along the border.

The restrictions aim to prevent unauthorized drone flights that could support illicit cross-border activities conducted by criminal organizations. Officials highlighted the increasing use of drones by cartels for surveillance and contraband transport in recent years. In a statement, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the measure builds on President Donald Trump’s commitment to secure the southern border, emphasizing the necessity of protecting U.S. airspace from emerging threats posed by cartel-operated drones.

Drone operators who need to fly in the restricted airspace may request waivers through two channels: an emergency hotline reserved for first responders and a separate email-based system for planned operations, which requires submitting requests at least 48 hours in advance. This represents an extension of the timeframe typically required for drone permission near sensitive areas and may complicate flights for purposes such as journalism or commercial deliveries in border cities including El Paso.

Government officials indicated the new restrictions could affect future commercial drone applications in populated border regions, requiring operators to secure approval for each individual flight. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has not yet clarified how it will handle waiver requests or whether exemptions will be granted under specific circumstances.

The announcement follows internal debates within the administration over the use of lethal force against drones perceived as threats. Last year, a homeland security official testified before Congress that over 27,000 unauthorized drones had been detected flying within 500 meters of the U.S.-Mexico border in the latter half of 2024, though most were operating above the newly imposed 400-foot altitude ceiling.

While some industry groups have not formally opposed the measure, concerns remain about its potential impact on nonthreatening drone operations along the border. The FAA’s temporary flight restrictions represent the latest step taken by federal agencies to balance technological innovation with national security priorities at one of the country’s most sensitive frontiers.