The Biden administration has repealed 26 federal laws to build a border wall.

On October 4, US President Joe Biden's administration announced it would repeal 26 federal laws in Texas to allow construction of a border wall. It marked the first time the administration has used the kind of sweeping executive power often used during Donald Trump's presidency. Writes about this AP News.

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a notice in the US Federal Register without providing details about the construction in Starr County, Texas, which is part of a busy Border Patrol sector with "high levels of illegal crossings." There have been about 21 illegal border crossings in the 245-county Rio Grande Valley sector this fiscal year, according to government data.

“There is now a dire and urgent need to construct physical barriers near the U.S. border to prevent illegal entry into the United States in project areas,” said Department of Homeland Defense Commissioner Alejandro Mayorkas.

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Among the federal laws that DHS has waived are the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Endangered Species Act to make way for construction. Waiving these laws avoids time-consuming inspections and litigation over violations of environmental laws.

The hilly ranches of Starr County, located between the cities of Zapata and McAllen (Texas), are home to about 65 thousand people occupying about 1200 square meters. miles (3108 sq. km), which are part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Although the release did not include any maps, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the project in June and began soliciting public comments in August by releasing a map of additional construction that could add up to 20 miles (32 km) to the existing border barrier system in this district. Starr County Judge Eloy Vera said construction will begin south of Falcon Dam and go past the town of Saligno.

“Another problem that worries us is that this area is characterized by high erosion activity. There are a lot of arroyos here,” Vera said, referring to the streams that run through the area and flow into the river.

The concerns are shared by environmentalists, who say construction will take place on public lands, habitat for endangered plants and species such as the ocelot, a spotted wildcat.

“The wall plan would build an impenetrable barrier right into the heart of this habitat. This will stop the migration of wild animals. This will lead to the destruction of a huge number of areas that are refuges for wild animals. This is a terrible step backwards for the borderlands,” said Laiken Jordahl, a southwest conservationist with the Center for Biological Diversity.

Under the Trump administration, about 2017 miles (2021 km) of barriers were built along the southwest border between 450 and January 724. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has resumed that work after the Biden administration suspended it early in its presidency.

The DHS decision, issued Sept. 4, contrasts with the Biden administration's stance, when the Jan. 20, 2021 announcement to halt construction said that "constructing a massive wall spanning the entire southern border is not a serious policy decision."

CBP said the project is consistent with that 2021 announcement.

“Congress appropriated funds for construction of the Rio Grande Valley border barrier in FY 2019, and DHS is committed to using these funds as intended,” the statement said. “CBP remains committed to protecting the nation’s cultural and natural resources and will apply sound environmental practices to a project covered by this exemption.”

The announcement sparked political debate in a Democratic administration grappling with a surge in migrants crossing the southern border in recent months, including thousands who entered the U.S. through Eagle Pass in late September.

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“Building a border wall is a 21st century solution to a 14th century problem. A wall will not improve border security in Starr County, said Congressman Henry Cuellar. “I continue to oppose the waste of taxpayer dollars on an ineffective border wall.”

Political supporters of the border wall have said the waivers should be used as a launching pad for policy changes.

“After years of denying the effectiveness of the border wall and other physical barriers, DHS's announcement represents a change in the administration's thinking. A secure wall is an effective tool for maintaining control of our borders,” Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said in a statement. “With this concession, the administration should immediately begin construction of a wall along the entire border to prevent illegal traffic from simply moving to other parts of the border.”

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