Drone flight restrictions now cover entire U.S.-Mexico border

A temporary flight restriction now covers the whole U.S.-Mexico border, barring unauthorized drone flights within one nautical mile of the southern boundary, according to the U.S. Transportation Department. The restriction applies from the surface up to 400 feet and took effect Friday.

The Transportation Department said the measure was coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense. It is framed as a response to what the government calls illicit cartel activity and other threats.

The FAA will issue a notice to airmen pointing operators to its UAS Data Delivery System, which holds national security-related drone restrictions, along with a domestic notice. That notice lists the restriction as lasting through October 2027 and includes a graphic of the affected area. The boundaries and conditions are set out in three NOTAMs covering the Los Angeles, Albuquerque and Houston flight regions.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in an announcement that warfighters, equipped with directed energy weapons among other technology, will shoot down any cartel drone that threatens U.S. sovereignty. "For too long, cartels have taken advantage of gaps along our southern border," he said.

Operators who want to fly inside the restricted airspace must ask U.S. Customs and Border Protection for authorization at least 48 hours ahead. First responders and organizations working on time-sensitive emergencies, such as natural disasters, can call the agency to find out whether they qualify for faster approval.

The source said federal agencies are developing counter-drone defenses as drone activity increases, and that federal air marshals seized more than 300 drones during the FIFA World Cup in June.