Biden Administration Border Wall Plans Anger Environmental, Indigenous Groups

Environmental groups are up in arms over an unexpected decision from the Biden administration to expand the wall on the Mexican border that began construction under former President Donald Trump. The groups argue the wall will have detrimental effects on endangered animals and plants in the region.

The administration announced it would build about 20 additional miles of wall this week. To do so, it will waive 26 federal laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act, as well as the Clean Air Act and the Antiquities Act.

"It’s disheartening to see President Biden stoop to this level, casting aside our nation’s bedrock environmental laws to build ineffective wildlife-killing border walls," said Laiken Jordahl, an advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity, according to a statement. "This is a horrific step backwards for the borderlands."

And Sunrise Movement, a separate youth-led climate advocacy group, called Biden's move and subsequent sidestep of federal laws "a glaring injustice."

The Center said that wall construction in Starr County, which is along the border to the northwest of McAllen, Texas, could hinder the recovery of endangered ocelots that depend on unbroken stretches of habitat along the Rio Grande.

In September, the Government Accountability Office released a report on the effects of the 458 miles of wall built during Trump's presidency, noting it had negative consequences for endangered species as well as affecting Tribal and cultural resources, water sources and more.

On Thursday, President Biden defended the decision and said funds appropriated for border wall construction in 2019 could not be used for other purposes without a reappropriation order from Congress — which is not forthcoming.