President Donald Trump’s administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to lift a halt on border construction in Texas’ Big Bend region. The emergency request challenges an October 2 injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone.
The order suspended federal waivers for barriers, roads and related infrastructure along a 517-mile stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border. The administration argues that a 1996 immigration law authorizes the homeland security secretary to waive legal requirements to speed construction.
In an October 8 court filing, U.S. Customs and Border Protection estimated that suspending five projects costs at least $462,800 a day, using contractors’ rough projections. The government said those costs include land leases, equipment upkeep, security and retaining workers.
Federal attorneys also argued that inadequate infrastructure in Big Bend could draw illegal crossings and drug smuggling into the sector as enforcement increases elsewhere. They cited more than 89,000 apprehensions there during fiscal years 2021 through 2025.
Please note! Comments are published by readers. The opinions expressed may not reflect the position of the editorial team. NYCT is not responsible for the content of readers' opinions and asks authors to observe moral standards, not to incite national or racial hatred, and to avoid rudeness. Think before you speak. You are responsible for your words! By publishing an opinion, you agree to the rules! If this request is ignored, NYCT reserves the right to deprive the user of the ability to leave comments.