Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem signed a waiver allowing 17 miles of “waterborne barrier” to be constructed quicker in Texas as part of a broader effort to erect President Trump’s border wall.
“A capability gap has been identified in waterways along the Southwest border where drug smuggling, human trafficking and other dangerous and illegal activity occurs. In response to this gap, CBP has identified the requirement for the construction of waterborne barriers to support the border security mission in waterways,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection wrote in a release.
“In addition, waterborne barriers are intended to create a safer border environment for patrolling agents, as well as deter illegal aliens from attempting to illegally cross the border through dangerous waterways.”
The waiver from Noem allows the government to bypass the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires stringent environmental reviews before beginning construction.
The barriers will be placed in the Rio Grande, the same river where the state of Texas placed buoys to deter migrants from crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
That ignited a lawsuit from the Biden administration, which said the buoys interfered with federal immigration enforcement and also created a drowning risk for migrants.
Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act also sets aside funding for further construction of Trump’s border wall.
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