U.S.-Mexico border fence

4 Facts about Border Enforcement (PDF)

On April 1, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security began using a blanket waiver of environmental and land management laws along 470 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border to speed construction of fencing and walls.

Laws waived included the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Such laws are designed not only to protect wildlife and natural habitats, but to protect human health as well.

Legislative Action

On June 19th, 2012, H.R. 1505, also known as the Bishop Bill for its main sponsor Rob Bishop, passed the U.S. House. The Bishop Bill would allow federal enforcement to bypass environmental laws within 100 miles of the U.S. border, enabling construction that would compromise natural habitats and violate tribal lands.