DHS issues first waiver to speed border wall construction

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued the first waiver of the administration to speed President Trump’s border wall, bypassing environmental regulations to aid construction.

The waiver will allow for the construction of 2.5 miles of barrier outside of San Diego.

“To cut through bureaucratic delays, DHS is waiving environmental laws — including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) — that can stall vital projects for months or even years. This waiver clears the path for the rapid deployment of physical barriers where they are needed most, reinforcing our commitment to national security and the rule of law,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement.

The waiver could be the first of many after a Day 1 executive order from Trump declaring an emergency at the border in order to free funding and speed construction of the wall ignited under his first term in office.

Noem’s move allows for the waiving of more than just NEPA, with environmental nonprofit Earthjustice citing 29 laws such as the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act that would also require a review of the impacts of construction.

“Waiving environmental, cultural preservation, and good governance laws that protect clean air and clean water, safeguard precious cultural resources, and preserve vibrant ecosystems and biodiversity will only cause further harm to border communities and ecosystems,” Cameron Walkup of Earthjustice said in a statement.

“Rather than rushing to spend tens of billions of dollars to help President Trump build even more wasteful border wall through a budget reconciliation package, Congress should focus on rescinding these waivers and remediating the significant damage that has already been caused by the wall.” 

While Trump pushed for a wall along the entirety of the U.S.-Mexico border, little has been constructed.

Only 52 miles of the 458 miles constructed under his presidency were new structures, rather than replacements. 

Critics of the wall say it will do little to help with border security. Portions of existing structures are routinely damaged while drugs such as fentanyl are primarily smuggled into the country by American citizens crossing at ports of entry.

Updated at 11:52 a.m. EDT