NOGALES, AZ (AZFamily) — A new federal flight restriction is grounding drone pilots along a large stretch of land just north of Nogales, and it’s raising questions about transparency and access along the border.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed with Arizona’s Family that the restriction was issued at the request of the Department of Homeland Security.

While the FAA cited “special security reasons,” it did not offer further details. The order bans unmanned aircraft flights from the surface up to 400 feet across about 150 square miles, lasting through Feb. 9, 2026.

BG Boyd, a Tucson-based photographer and drone operator who specializes in capturing murals and art, said it’s rare to see a restriction zone this big and lasting this many months.

However, he said temporary f

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