The Department of Homeland Security detailed that it needed to waive a series of laws, regulations and other legal requirements “to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads in the vicinity of the international land border in Starr County, Texas,” according to a publication in the Federal Register.
The move reflects a shift in Biden’s policy on physical barriers, a signature priority of former Republican President Donald Trump. and the chant that accompanies him at his rallies: “Build that wall.”
One of Biden’s first actions in office was a proclamation that “no more American taxpayer money be diverted to build a border wall,” as well as a review of all resources that had already been committed.
Biden, a Democrat, and Trump, the favorite to be the Republican candidate in 2024, could face each other again in the next general election, in which border issues take center stage.
The number of immigrants caught crossing illegally or showing up at legal border crossings has continued to rise after declining in mid-May, when the United States implemented new, stricter asylum rules.
The United States Border Patrol has encountered more than 245,000 people entering the United States in the Rio Grande Valley sector in the current fiscal yeardetailed the Secretary of National Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, in the position.
The construction projects will be funded by a fiscal year 2019 appropriation for border barrier construction, he said.
“There is now an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the United States border in order to prevent illegal entries into the United States in the project areas,” Mayorkas said.
The White House had no immediate comment on Mayorkas’ announcement, but Trump was quick to claim victory.
“As I have often said, for thousands of years there have only been two things that have worked consistently: wheels and walls!” Trump wrote in a social media post.
“Will Joe Biden apologize to me and to the United States for taking so long to act” to have a barrier?” he questioned.
Financing of the walls
The construction projects will be funded by a fiscal year 2019 appropriation for border barrier construction, he said.
“There is currently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the United States border in order to prevent illegal entry into the United States in the project areas,” Mayorkas said.