Homeland Security Skips Rules to Speed Up Border Wall Builds
Published Date: 10/8/2025
Notice
Summary
Starting October 8, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security is speeding up the building of barriers and roads along the New Mexico border by temporarily skipping some usual rules. This move helps stop illegal crossings and keeps the country safer, making border security stronger and faster. It affects construction projects near the border and shows the government’s commitment to protecting the nation without delay.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Waiver of Laws for New Mexico Border Construction
Starting October 8, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security will build additional barriers and roads in a project area in New Mexico (from about Border Monument 49 north and then east to Border Monument 1). For that construction, DHS waived in their entirety a long list of federal statutes and related legal requirements, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Clean Air Act, and others, to allow immediate earthwork, excavation, site preparation, installation, and upkeep of barriers, roads, drainage, lighting, cameras, and sensors.
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