Overview

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a waiver bypassing environmental regulations, fast-tracking 2.5 miles of border wall construction near Jacumba Hot Springs and San Diego.
• The waiver, leveraging funds from fiscal years 2020 and 2021, exempts the project from laws like the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act.
• This marks the first environmental waiver of Trump’s second term, continuing a precedent set during his first administration to expedite border wall projects.
• Environmental groups, including Earthjustice, criticize the move, warning of significant harm to ecosystems, cultural sites, and border communities.
• The Trump administration aims to construct up to 1,400 miles of uninterrupted border barrier, reinforcing its commitment to heightened border security measures.