The Biden administration’s plan to construct nearly 20 miles of “movable” barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border in Starr County, South Texas, has ignited criticism from both environmentalists and proponents of enhanced border enforcement.
The project, unveiled in September with a call for public input, faced controversy in October when the administration bypassed 26 federal environmental protection laws to expedite construction. Rodney Scott, former U.S. Border Patrol chief, expressed disapproval, stating, “The United States Border Patrol did not ask for this downgraded border wall.”
Despite President Joe Biden’s campaign promise against expanding the wall, construction is progressing amidst a surge in migrants seeking asylum and illegal crossings exceeding 2 million for the second consecutive year.
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Advocates for increased border security, including Scott, argue that the movable design lacks the strength to deter illegal crossings effectively. Simultaneously, environmentalists contend that the new design poses a greater threat to animal habitats than former President Donald Trump’s border wall.
Defending the decision, Biden cited the necessity of utilizing Trump-era funding, emphasizing legal requirements for the funding’s specific use and completion by 2023.
Compared to Trump’s 18- to 30-foot concrete-filled steel bollard panels, Biden’s barriers will be shorter and potentially temporary. The design, already visible in Brownsville, features metal bollards embedded into 4-foot-high cement blocks.
In Starr County, Democratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar explained that the movable fencing allows federal border agents flexibility in directing traffic. Scott acknowledged the potential emergency use but cautioned against inadequate ground placement, which could enable vehicles to displace the barriers.
Laiken Jordahl, a conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity, raised concerns about the impact on wildlife, listing various species and two endangered plants affected by the barrier. Jordahl stated that the design would block even the smallest animals from passing through.
Scott Nicol, a board member of the Friends of the Wildlife Corridor, expressed worries about unintended consequences, particularly the potential obstruction of water drainage during rainstorms. Nicol emphasized the environmental impact on the Rio Grande that separates the U.S. and Mexico.
Last month, the Center for Biological Diversity, along with approximately 100 organizations, sent a letter urging the U.S. government to reconsider environmental protection laws in response to the project. As of now, they await a response.
