In a surprising move, President Biden’s administration has ignited anger among Democrats and environmental groups by proceeding with the construction of a border wall in South Texas. This decision comes despite Biden’s campaign promise to halt the building of any new border walls, leading to accusations of flip-flopping. The construction, focused on Starr County in the Rio Grande Valley Sector, aims to address the “high illegal entry” in the area, with over 245,000 migrant encounters reported this fiscal year.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended the decision, stating that there is an “acute and immediate need” for physical barriers and roads to prevent unlawful entries. To expedite the project, Mayorkas cited his authority provided by Congress to waive 26 federal laws, including environmental regulations such as the Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Endangered Species Act.
Critics argue that the administration’s move contradicts its anti-wall stance and express disappointment in the waiving of environmental laws. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bob Menendez, both Democrats, condemned the decision, with Ocasio-Cortez arguing that the administration was not obligated to expand wall construction or bypass environmental regulations. Menendez accused the Biden administration of adopting Trump’s anti-immigrant policies and called for smarter border security measures instead.
Environmental groups also voiced their concerns about the project, expressing disappointment in President Biden for disregarding environmental laws and potentially harming wildlife in Starr County. Despite these criticisms, DHS officials have promised to prioritize the protection of cultural and natural resources and implement sound environmental practices. They have also emphasized that the barrier will be movable to mitigate environmental impacts.
The Biden administration defended its actions, pointing out that the border wall construction was funded by a fiscal 2019 congressional appropriation during the Trump era. The administration has repeatedly urged Congress to rescind the remaining border barrier funding and allocate resources to more effective border security measures, such as border technology and the modernization of land ports of entry.
As tensions rise over the border wall controversy, it is clear that the Biden administration’s decision has stirred up a heated debate among Democrats, environmental groups, and critics of Trump-era immigration policies. The construction of the border wall in South Texas serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges surrounding immigration and border security in the United States.
