DHS Waives Rules for Faster NM-Texas Border Road Rush
Published Date: 10/15/2025
Notice
Summary
Starting October 15, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security is speeding up the building of barriers and roads along the Texas and New Mexico border by temporarily skipping some usual rules. This move helps stop illegal crossings and keeps the country safer. It affects border communities and aims to get the job done faster without delays, showing serious commitment to border security.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Immediate barrier and road build in El Paso Sector
Starting October 15, 2025, DHS will immediately construct additional physical barriers and roads in the El Paso Sector on the U.S. border in the states of Texas and New Mexico. The notice cites that between fiscal year 2021 and July 2025 Border Patrol apprehended over 1,229,400 illegal entrants in the El Paso Sector and seized specified quantities of illicit drugs, and states the construction is intended to deter illegal crossings and improve border security.
Waiver of laws and procurement rules for border contracts
Effective October 15, 2025, DHS invoked section 102(c) of IIRIRA to waive specified statutes and federal procurement and contracting regulations for all contracting actions needed to build the barriers and roads in the El Paso Sector. The waiver explicitly covers the Administrative Procedure Act and numerous statutes and Federal Acquisition Regulation provisions (including multiple 48 CFR parts listed in the notice) for activities such as accessing project areas, staging areas, earthwork, excavation, installation and upkeep of barriers, roads, drainage, lighting, cameras, and sensors.
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Key Dates
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