DHS pushes border wall, skirting environmental regulations

The U.S. is moving forward with waivers to strengthen the border wall, a measure announced by Secretary Kristi Noem.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken another step toward strengthening the U.S. southern border. Secretary Kristi Noem announced the issuance of three new waivers that will accelerate construction of approximately 36 miles of border wall in Arizona and New Mexico, without requiring compliance with certain environmental regulations.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has specified that these exemptions allow DHS to bypass regulations such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in order to avoid administrative delays and move forward immediately with the construction of physical barriers and roads. 

The measure is justified, according to the agency, as part of critical efforts to close vulnerable gaps and strengthen border security.

The projects covered by these exemptions are funded by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) budget allocations for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. Other projects also include:

• 24.7 miles in the Sonoita Project, Tucson Sector
  
• 7 miles on the Santa Teresa secondary wall, El Paso Sector
  
• 2.1 miles in Project 10-6, Tucson Sector
  
• 1.3 miles in Anapra, El Paso Sector
  
• 7 holes to be filled at the Barry M. Goldwater Proving Ground, Yuma Sector (between 40 and 240 feet each)
  
• And minor segments in the Tucson and El Paso Sectors, including gates and access to ports of entry
  

These projects aim to strengthen Border Patrol operations in the El Paso, Tucson, and Yuma sectors, considered key points in the country's immigration control. The decision is protected by Section 102 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.

This would be the second time Secretary Noem has used these waivers: she had already approved a similar waiver for wall projects in California in April. Now, with this new approval, the administration reaffirms its commitment to a more robust border security policy.

Customs and Border Protection has approximately 65,000 personnel whose primary mission is to defend the United States by land, air, and sea to balance legal trade and travel. 

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Sources:

US Customs and Border Protection

Library of Congress