U.S. Imposes Year‑Long Drone Ban Along Southwest Border

Overview

• The FAA has posted NOTAMs enforcing a temporary flight restriction that bars unauthorized drones up to 400 feet above ground and roughly one nautical mile north of the U.S.–Mexico border, with the restrictions set to remain in place through about October 2027.
• The TFR covers defined zones near El Paso and other border areas and requires operators to follow Remote ID rules and check NOTAMs before flying.
• Federal officials warned of steep penalties for violations, including FAA fines up to $75,000, possible license revocation, and criminal cases brought by the FBI and DOJ against captured violators.
• Officials announced use of military‑grade counter‑UAS tools, including directed‑energy systems and authority to shoot down hostile drones, and troops and Coast Guard assets have been deployed to support the effort.
• The move builds on years of reported cartel drone activity — including large numbers of incursions in 2022–23 — and is already disrupting local businesses and event coverage in El Paso by restricting flights over plazas, university grounds, stadiums, and neighborhoods.