A U.S. judge in New Mexico on Thursday dismissed trespassing charges against dozens of migrants caught in a new military zone on the U.S.-Mexico border, marking a setback for Trump administration efforts to raise penalties for illegal crossings.

Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Gregory Wormuth began filing the dismissals late on Wednesday, ruling that migrants did not know they were entering the military zone in New Mexico and, therefore, could not be charged, according to court documents and a defense attorney.

Assistant Federal Public Defender Amanda Skinner said Wormuth dismissed trespassing charges against all 98 migrants who made initial court appearances on Thursday.

Read more at Newsmax© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.