FAA Bars Unauthorized Drone Flights Within One Nautical Mile of U.S.-Mexico Border; Officials Say Violators Could Be Shot Down
Why It MattersBorder airspace becomes controlled defense airspace for unmanned operators for a full year, shifting commercial and media drone work there onto a 48-hour CBP authorization process.
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued three temporary flight restrictions covering the U.S. southern border, barring unauthorized drone activity up to 400 feet above ground level within one nautical mile of the U.S.-Mexico border. The notice runs from October 19, 2026 to October 19, 2027 and cites NOTAMs ZLA 6/9954, ZAB 6/9978 and ZHU 6/9956. The Defense, Transportation and Homeland Security departments backed the measure, and the airspace was designated national defense airspace. The agencies said non-compliant drones could be shot down and their pilots could face civil or criminal penalties. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said officials could use "cutting-edge technology," including Directed Energy Weapons, to bring down drones.
Operators seeking authorization must email U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at least 48 hours before the proposed operation, giving their name, FAA certifications and telephone number, the proposed flight date, time and location, and the drone's Remote ID, make, model and serial number. First responders and others handling natural disasters or time-sensitive emergencies may be eligible for expedited coordination by phone with CBP.
Officials said the restrictions are meant to counter cartel drone threats and protect personnel and facilities. U.S. Northern Command said U.S. troops shot down three drones in August using an Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser system. An Air Force official told Congress in 2024 that as many as 1,000 drones fly over the border each month, and another official said 378 drones crossed during a 30-day period.
Press freedom advocates warned that the restrictions will make it harder to report on border wall construction and surveillance, to which the Trump administration has already limited access in Southern Arizona. The National Press Photographers Association's general counsel, Mickey Osterreicher, said any restriction affecting First Amendment activity must be narrowly tailored, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Saira Hussain called the rules "really problematic." Earlier this year, photojournalist Rob Levine sued the FAA over a January no-fly zone near Homeland Security facilities and vehicles; in April the FAA withdrew that ban and issued an advisory to drone pilots instead.
