DHS Grants Initial Waiver to Accelerate Border Wall Construction
The project will enable the construction of 2.5 miles of border barrier near San Diego.
This waiver, issued on April 8, marks the first of the current administration and facilitates the construction of 2.5 miles of border barrier near San Diego.
“In order to eliminate bureaucratic delays, the DHS is waiving certain environmental laws—including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)—that could otherwise hinder essential projects for extended periods,” the department stated in its announcement regarding the measure.
“This waiver paves the way for the swift implementation of physical barriers where they are critically needed, reaffirming our dedication to national security and the rule of law.”
However, some environmental advocacy groups, such as Earthjustice, have condemned the decision, citing concerns over the bypassing of regulations.
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Border security remains a prominent focus for the current Trump administration, with various federal agencies, including the Departments of State, Defense, and Justice, as well as the Internal Revenue Service and military, engaged in immigration enforcement efforts.
Following President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021, he paused billions of dollars in border construction and assigned Vice President Kamala Harris to address the “root causes” of illegal immigration.
On the first day of his new term, Trump signed an executive order directing the secretaries of defense and homeland security to take measures to “construct temporary and permanent physical barriers to ensure comprehensive operational control of the southern border of the United States.”
