Trump administration bans drones in Nogales area until February

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has enacted a temporary flight restriction (TFR) around a large portion of southern Arizona that disallows drones to be flown without a permit.

The TFR “mitigation zone” began Aug. 8 and will be in place until Feb. 9, 2026. It encompasses a large area of land just north of Nogales. The listed reason by the Federal Aviation Administration is “for Special Security Reasons.”

The FAA referred questions to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which took two weeks to respond.

“Since Day One, President Trump has created the most secure Southern border in American history—from both land and air. The President’s Executive Order implemented a five-mile Mitigation Zone near Rio Rico to combat drug cartels weaponizing drones, delivering contraband, surveilling law enforcement, and endangering the public,” an unnamed CBP spokesman said in an emailed response to the Arizona Mirror’s questions. “Because Nogales was outside of the five-mile perimeter, CBP requested a Temporary Flight Restriction to keep the area as a mitigation zone. President Trump and Secretary (Kristi) Noem will use every tool available to keep the American people safe from drug cartels.”

Trump’s first move upon entering the White House was to declare a national emergency at the southern border and, in doing so, create a five-mile perimeter around the border specifically to combat drones.

The TFR states that no “UAS,” or unmanned aerial system, can be operated in the area unless it is supporting the military, DHS, law enforcement, disaster response, firefighting or is a commercial drone with a valid permit.

https://www.nogalesinternational.com/news/trump-administration-bans-drones-in-nogales-area-until-february/article_c83fa34c-3d4f-43b4-9d3f-244507a2607f.html