DHS Dodges Own Rules to Speed Up Texas Border Wall Rush
Published Date: 12/30/2025
Notice
Summary
Starting December 30, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security is speeding up the building of barriers and roads along the Texas border by temporarily skipping some usual rules. This move helps stop illegal crossings and keeps the country safer. It affects border construction projects and aims to get things done faster without extra costs mentioned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Texas Del Rio Border Waiver and Build
Starting December 30, 2025, DHS will speed construction of barriers and roads in a defined project area in the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector in Texas (from about GPS 29.449888, -101.058072 to 29.084630, -100.663800) by waiving many federal statutes. The waiver explicitly covers laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Clean Air Act, and numerous other environmental and historic-preservation statutes for construction in that project area.
Authority Reserved For Future Waivers
The Secretary states that this waiver does not revoke prior waivers and reserves the authority to issue additional waivers under section 102 of IIRIRA from time to time. That means DHS may in the future waive legal requirements again when the Secretary determines it necessary to ensure expeditious construction of barriers and roads under section 102.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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