According to a recent edition of The Hill, the Department of Homeland Security(DHS)
has announced that it has waived environmental and historical preservation
laws to speed the improvement of fencing on the California/Mexico border.
This means that important federal laws, such as the Endangered Species
Act, will not apply to the repair, reinforcement, or replacement fencing
in this area of the country, or the repair of service roads used by U.S.
Border Patrol. DHS claims that the eastern half of the California/Mexico
border, or the El Centro Border Patrol sector, is a prime area for immigrants
to enter the U.S. without the authority to do so. In 2016, DHS reports
that U.S. Border Patrol apprehended about 19,000 immigrants present in
the country or attempting to enter the country without legal status. DHS
also reports the seizure of about 2,600 pounds of marijuana and 126 pounds
of cocaine. As a result, the DHS plans to replace the existing 14-foot
fence with a new 18-25 foot fence. DHS considers this project to be part
of the Trump Administration’s promise to build a border wall on
the U.S.-Mexican border. Despite the administration’s campaign promises,
Congress has yet to provide funding for a border wall. DHS, however, has
gone ahead with creating wall prototypes to be built in the San Diego
sector. Some repairs and improvements to existing fencing or other barriers,
including these prototypes, already are covered by appropriations within
the current budget. While improvements to existing border fencing or the
construction of new walls may continue, there are millions of immigrants
without legal status already present in the U.S., all of whom are facing
potential deportations during this period of unprecedented immigration
enforcement. If ICE has detained a loved one, contacting an experienced
California immigration attorney as quickly as possible can be essential
to securing his or her release and fighting deportation. Taking steps
to fix an immigration problem from the outset is often much simpler than
waiting until the last minute and attempting to remedy the situation.
Call Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., at (510) 756-4468 today, and learn
what we can do to help you through this situation.
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