At the risk of stirring up some shit...

[Ferrets are Cool]

Do we not deserve an explanation for the "stuff" that's going on down on the border concerning the building of the wall and disregarding the environmental issues? This is important.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-administration-border-wall-construction-south-texas/

The Biden administration announced it waived 26 federal laws in South Texas to allow border wall construction on Wednesday, marking the administration's first use of a sweeping executive power employed often during the Trump presidency.

The Department of Homeland Security posted the announcement on the U.S. Federal Registry with few details outlining the construction in Starr County, Texas, which is part of a busy Border Patrol sector seeing "high illegal entry." According to government data, about 245,000 illegal entries have been recorded so far this fiscal year in the Rio Grande Valley Sector, which contains 21 counties.

"There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas," Alejandro Mayorkas, the DHS secretary, stated in the notice.

The Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and Endangered Species Act were some of the federal laws waived by DHS to make way for construction that will use funds from a congressional appropriation in 2019 for border wall construction. The waivers avoid time-consuming reviews and lawsuits challenging violation of environmental laws.

[Johnny2X2X]

1. I have full faith in the Biden administration

If they're doing this, they have a really good reason to do this. They deserve the benefit of the doubt given their impeccable track record. Doesn't mean I won't want to hear the details, just that I expect them to be nobel when taken in context.

[ratchiweenie]

3. Biden is under enormous political pressure regarding the border. I too am concerned and would

like to hear some rational for the decision.

[sarisataka]

4. It is strange

We suddenly seem to be pretty ok with border walls. Even if some laws need to be bypassed to make that happen.

Wrong then, wrong now IMO

[Elessar Zappa]

8. I give Biden the benefit of the doubt.

I think he’s earned our trust in him until he proves otherwise. I doubt he’s doing this for no good reason.

[sarisataka]

11. I do trust Biden but

I also recall him saying "not one more foot".

If the wall was an ineffective, expensive answer to illegal immigration three years ago I want to know why it is so effective and prudent today... It is the exact same wall is it not?

[AZSkiffyGeek]

12. Is this going to be extending TFG's monstrosity, or some other sort of barrier?

There have always been some barriers on the border, but the "Wall" was TFG's creation.

[sarisataka]

13. It is the same wall

That everyone opposed previously.

[lees1975]

15. It's an extension of barricades beyond places where they already existed.

It's intended to funnel the traffic coming across to specific places, rather than to build a wall along the whole border. It's not a change of policy.

[Blues Heron]

5. DHS going rogue?

[Frasier Balzov]

6. Now simply a choice of what looks worse.

And which costs less.

And whose interests are appeased.

[wnylib]

7. Maybe a negotiated deal to get rid of the death traps that

Abbott put into the Rio Grande?

[Recycle_Guru]

9. feel free to ask them

I think if you look at recent apprehension data for migrants trying to illegally criss in Rio Grande calley, you will see why the emphasis.

[usonian]

10. Speculation: In politics, the biggest matters can be hidden from sight.

Little things like atomic bombs, spy planes, covert operations ....

So, who's to say that "protecting the border" is a smokescreen for organized drug smuggling operations.

The one thing you can count on from RWers is diversion from their own crimes.

Just speculating, but the previous sentence is undeniable.

[Ferrets are Cool]

17. Thanks for the great post.

[leftyladyfrommo]

16. Didn't they just sell all the unused wall stuff? nt

[bigtree]

18. at the risk of contradicting you

Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas @SecMayorkas 21m
I want to address today’s reporting relating to a border wall and be absolutely clear.

There is no new Administration policy with respect to border walls. My full statement ⬇️

Link to tweet

[Ferrets are Cool]

19. I hope it is being taken out of context.

[bigtree]

20. what I think they should do

...and what I kinda expect the politically astute WH to do.

Mayorkas can rescind his expedited environmental waiver, and they can slow walk this.

After that, they can just sit on it, and if republicans still have the House, let them take them to court.

They have enough political cover for refusing to put up a wall, but this environmental language is going to haunt them into the election.

Hard to believe they'll just roll through with all of this now. Hopefully they realize they're on the wrong foot.

[Ferrets are Cool]

21. I like every word you wrote.