Mayorkas announces urgent requirement for a border wall in Texas, exempts 26 environmental laws.
On Wednesday, Alejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of Homeland Security, stated that there is a pressing and urgent requirement to construct a border wall in southern Texas. In order to expedite the construction process, he has issued an order that exempts certain well-known environmental protection laws in the country.
Mr. Mayorkas has pinpointed several stretches of the border where he intends to construct barriers and roads. He also acknowledged that certain environmental regulations could pose obstacles in these areas.
“I cannot reword”
The power to waive laws in order to facilitate border construction is granted to the homeland security secretary by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act.
The Biden administration intends to appear in court on Thursday in an effort to halt Texas’ floating wall along the Rio Grande. They argue that it negatively impacts river navigation.
Mr. Mayorkas’ waiver covers 26 federal laws, including the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
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The secretary had previously stated that he planned to construct several miles of wall, in opposition to President Biden’s campaign pledge in 2020 that no additional wall would be built under his administration.
Mr. Mayorkas said his hands were tied by congressional spending bills requiring money to be used for border wall construction. The administration delayed for several years and pleaded with Congress to revoke the funds, but those efforts failed.
Environmental groups found the declaration of the wall as an urgent requirement and the exemption of laws to be excessive.
Laiken Jordahl from the Center for Biological Diversity expressed disappointment in witnessing President Biden disregard important environmental regulations in order to construct border walls that are not effective and harm wildlife. Jordahl views this as a significant setback for the borderlands.
This marks the inaugural instance of the Biden administration employing the power to waive the wall, as stated by the center.
The group stated that the proposed construction by the Biden administration would pass through the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge provides protection for various species, including the endangered ocelot and jaguarundi.
In 2016, presidential candidate Donald Trump’s main pledge was to construct the wall.
The Trump administration faced strong criticism from environmentalists due to the extensive use of waivers while constructing over 450 miles of wall.
A significant portion of the fencing was installed to replace old fences or, in numerous areas, to substitute vehicle barriers that could be easily scaled by individuals on foot.
Last month, a report from the Government Accountability Office stated that the construction of the wall resulted in substantial harm to sacred sites of American Indians residing along the border. The government was criticized by the GAO for not engaging with these communities to address and minimize the negative effects of the wall.
The GAO also disagreed with Mr. Biden’s 2021 choice to pause construction. It highlighted that stopping construction also halted efforts to fix the damaged lands caused by the building process.
Mr. Mayorkas has repeatedly refused to call the unprecedented flow of illegal immigrants at the border a crisis. He has, however, announced repeated policy resets to try to stem the flow.
The wall represents another change, but this time it is due to the actions of Congress.
In 2021, Mr. Mayorkas expressed willingness to address the unfinished sections of the wall resulting from Mr. Biden’s decision to halt construction. However, he clarified that extensive wall construction is not aligned with the current administration’s policy, stating during an interview with “Fox News Sunday” that they do not support the building of the wall.
That runs counter to the advice of Border Patrol agents, who say a wall across the nearly 2,000-mile border isn’t needed but more sections need barriers.
Agents claim that the wall aids in directing individuals attempting to cross the border towards agents and enhances the likelihood of their detection.
Earlier this year, sector chiefs from the Border Patrol provided testimony to Congress regarding the significance of a wall.
Agents also say they want the roads and technology of the Trump-style wall. The technology helps detect intrusions, and the roads help agents get to where they need to be to apprehend those who make it across the border.
In his notice published in the Federal Register, Mr. Mayorkas stated his intention to construct both barriers and roads.
He stated that the department would promptly take action.
“He stated that the construction would be financed by the fiscal year 2019 allocation approved by Congress for the construction of a border barrier in the Rio Grande Valley. The Department of Homeland Security is obligated to utilize these funds for their designated purpose.”
