Mayorkas speeds up Texas border wall construction amidst illegal immigration surge.
The Biden Administration Expedites Construction of U.S.-Mexico Border Walls in Response to Surging Illegal Entries
In a surprising reversal of its previous stance, the Biden administration declared on Wednesday an “immediate need” to fast-track the construction of U.S.-Mexico border walls in Starr County, Texas. This decision comes as a response to the escalating number of illegal entries by migrants.
Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, announced that he will waive 26 federal regulations to expedite the construction of roads and barriers along the southern border in Texas. These new barriers will be built in the Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley Sector, specifically targeting areas with high illegal entry rates.
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The targeted areas for construction include the Falcon Dam vicinity, Arroyo Morteros Tract, Las Ruinas Tract, Arroyo Ramirez Tract, intersections of major roads like Perez Road and U.S. Highway 83, and various tracts within the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Secretary Mayorkas issued the waiver and determination, citing Border Patrol figures that reveal over 245,000 migrants have illegally crossed the border at Starr County since early August.
“There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States,” stated Mayorkas. “Therefore, I must use my authority under section 102 of IIRIRA to install additional physical barriers and roads in the Rio Grande Valley Sector. Therefore, DHS will take immediate action to construct barriers and roads.”
DHS plans to fund the project using appropriations allocated by Congress in 2019 for border wall construction in the Rio Grande Valley. To achieve this, Mayorkas determined that it is necessary to waive certain laws, regulations, and legal requirements under Section 102 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA).
The waived statutes include environmental and conservation laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, among others. However, it is important to note that these waivers do not revoke or supersede any previously granted waivers issued pursuant to Section 102(c) of IIRIRA.
Mayorkas retains the authority to issue additional waivers if deemed necessary to meet the objectives outlined in the legislation.
Need for Border Wall
Republicans, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, have criticized the Biden administration’s policies for the unprecedented surge in illegal immigration. They attribute this increase to the rollback of Trump-era measures and the halt of border wall construction.
Upon taking office, the Biden administration halted the ongoing construction of the border wall, arguing that former President Donald Trump’s focus on it was misguided and ineffective in securing the border and managing immigration.
Mexico’s president recently warned that the United States can expect around 10,000 migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border daily. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador based this warning on the number of migrants crossing from Guatemala into Mexico over the past week.
Mexico, being the United States’ largest trading partner, operates a government-run bus service that transports migrants from its southern region to the northern border with the United States.
Mayorkas’s announcement coincides with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Mexico, where discussions on shared security, health, and public safety issues will take place.
During his visit, Blinken emphasized the “mutual responsibility” between the United States and Mexico in addressing the fentanyl and illegal immigration crisis through cooperation.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 50 times stronger than heroin and was responsible for 70% of overdose or poisoning deaths in 2022. The Drug Enforcement Administration has seized over 387.9 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl at the southern border in 2022.
How does the Biden administration’s decision to expedite the construction of U.S.-Mexico border walls differ from their previous stance on immigration?
Are temporary and limited in scope, focusing solely on the expediting of construction in order to address the immediate need at hand.
The decision to expedite the construction of U.S.-Mexico border walls marks a significant departure from the Biden administration’s stance on immigration. During his candidacy, President Joe Biden promised to halt the construction of border walls, calling them “wasteful” and ineffective. However, the surging number of illegal entries has forced the administration to reassess its position and take immediate action.
The escalating number of illegal border crossings poses a significant challenge to border security and immigration enforcement. The Biden administration’s decision to expedite construction aims to address this issue by creating physical barriers and improving road infrastructure in high-risk areas. By targeting specific regions with high illegal entry rates, such as Starr County, Texas, the administration hopes to enhance border security and deter illegal crossings.
The construction project will focus on key areas along the southern border, including the Falcon Dam vicinity, Arroyo Morteros Tract, Las Ruinas Tract, Arroyo Ramirez Tract, intersections of major roads like Perez Road and U.S. Highway 83, and various tracts within the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. These areas have been identified as hotspots for illegal border crossings and will receive increased attention and resources.
The decision to waive 26 federal regulations demonstrates the urgency felt by the administration to address the ongoing issue at the southern border. Secretary Mayorkas emphasized the immediate need for physical barriers and roads to enhance border security. By invoking Section 102 of the IIRIRA, the administration will be able to circumvent legal requirements and accelerate the construction process. This decision was made based on Border Patrol figures that revealed over 245,000 migrants have illegally crossed the border at Starr County since early August.
Despite the waivers and temporary suspension of certain laws, it is crucial to recognize that environmental and conservation laws are essential for the protection of natural habitats and wildlife. The Biden administration acknowledges this and assures that the waivers will only be temporary and limited in scope. Once the immediate need for construction is addressed, the administration will resume compliance with relevant environmental and conservation laws.
The funding for the project will come from appropriations allocated by Congress in 2019 specifically for border wall construction in the Rio Grande Valley. This ensures that the project can proceed without requiring additional resources or delays.
The Biden administration’s decision to expedite the construction of U.S.-Mexico border walls reflects the urgent need to address the escalating number of illegal entries into the country. While it marks a reversal of the administration’s previous stance, the decision is a response to the current situation at the southern border. By targeting high-risk areas and improving border infrastructure, the administration aims to enhance border security and immigration enforcement. It is important to note that the waivers issued are temporary and limited in scope, and the administration is committed to balancing the need for enhanced security with environmental and conservation concerns.
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