Biden Waiving Environmental Laws to Build New Border Wall Signals Shift on Immigration Policy
Photo by Carlos Moreno/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images
The Biden administration has reportedly approved the construction of new barricades to stem the flow of illegal immigration, representing a significant shift in border policy and the need for a wall on the U.S. southern border.
The Associated Press reported that the Biden administration waived 26 federal laws in South Texas to permit a border wall construction in Starr County. Authorities have acknowledged the “high illegal entry” levels in the area, and the waivers will reportedly allow the construction to get underway without being hindered by reviews or lawsuits involving environmental laws.
“According to government data, about 245,000 illegal entries have been recorded so far this fiscal year in the Rio Grande Valley Sector, which contains 21 counties,” the AP reported. They also included a statement DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas gave to the U.S. Federal Registry, which said: “There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas.”
The border wall could reportedly add up to 20 miles to the area’s already existing barricades, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection explained that the costs will be covered by 2019 funding Congress appropriated for such a construction in the Rio Grande Valley. Democrats have long been staunchly opposed to Donald Trump’s signature policy of building a southern border wall, and the plan seems to contradict President Joe Biden’s 2021 proclamation that he wouldn’t continue it because “Building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution.”
Trump linked to this news which he immediately exploited politically by declaring himself right with his border policies, and to demand an apology from Biden.
“So interesting to watch Crooked Joe Biden break every environmental law in the book to prove that I was right when I built 560 miles (they incorrectly state 450 in story!) of brand new, beautiful border wall,” Trump said. “As I have stated often, over thousands of years, there are only two things that have consistently worked, wheels, and walls! Will Joe Biden appolgize to me and America for taking so long to get moving, and allowing our country to be flooded with 15 million illegals immigrants, from places unknown. I will await his apology!”
