In the latest development on border security efforts, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has signed a waiver to expedite the construction of a 17-mile long "waterborne barrier" in the Rio Grande, a move aimed to address identified "capability gaps" in the region. According to a release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection obtained by The Hill, drug smuggling, human trafficking, and other illegal activities are rampant in these waterways, prompting the need for such measures.
The signed waiver allows DHS to circumvent established environmental laws, such as the National Environmental Policy Act, which demands thorough ecological reviews before construction projects can begin. The Hill reports that the floating barriers "are intended to create a safer border environment for patrolling agents, as well as deter illegal aliens from attempting to illegally cross the border through dangerous waterways." This measure marks the sixth such waiver that Noem has signed for border barrier construction during her tenure.
On the state level, Texas has been proactive in placing its own marine barriers along the Rio Grande. Governor Greg Abbott had previously posted footage of large buoys being deployed at the border, a video which surfaced soon after President Trump's inauguration. However, these state efforts faced legal pushback, as reported by FOX 7 Austin, the federal government sued Texas in 2023, arguing the buoys infringed on federal law. The initial ruling by a district court in favor of the Biden Administration was overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The controversy has not slowed down Texas' border fortification actions, with Abbott announcing last November an extension of the floating barriers' length in Eagle Pass. The state has reallocated some of its budget to strengthen border security and has reached out to the federal government to reimburse over $11 billion spent on the border wall, other barriers, security grants, criminal trespass arrests, and migrant relocation efforts, as FOX 7 Austin emphasized.
Amidst these developments, federal and state agencies continue to grapple with the balance between enforcing border security and adhering to legal and environmental considerations. As barriers—both literal and legal—rise, the debate over the effectiveness and consequences of these measures is likely to persist.
