border-wall-funding-opposition-letter-20250212-7b9b28be34aba137.pdf

The document is a formal letter from a coalition of environmental and community organizations urging U.S. budget committees to oppose additional funding for the U.S.-Mexico border wall. The authors argue that the approximately $18.74 billion already spent has resulted in an ineffective barrier that harms border communities, violates tribal rights, and destroys critical biodiversity. They specifically highlight the use of the REAL ID Act to waive 83 laws, bypassing environmental and civil rights protections. The coalition calls for the rescission of these waivers and the funding of remediation efforts for existing damage.

• The construction of the border wall has cost approximately $18.74 billion and is described as a waste of resources that has failed to meet its goals, with government oversight bodies criticizing the lack of cost estimates for operation and maintenance and the failure to analyze alternative deterrence methods.
• Border wall infrastructure has caused physical and cultural harm, including creating artificial levees that exacerbate flooding, destroying tribal burial sites and sacred plants, and seizing private land through eminent domain in Texas.
• The wall has severely impacted biodiversity by blocking migration routes and destroying habitats for over 1,500 plants and animals, including 83 species listed under the Endangered Species Act such as the jaguar and Mexican wolf; a 2024 study in Arizona showed an 86% reduction in wildlife crossings compared to vehicle barriers.
• The Secretary of Homeland Security has used authority granted by the 2005 REAL ID Act to waive 83 laws to expedite construction, bypassing legal requirements related to environmental protection, religious freedom, Native American rights, and procurement laws.

APA

Earthjustice (2025). border-wall-funding-opposition-letter-20250212-7b9b28be34aba137.pdf. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/border-wall-funding-opposition-letter-20250212.pdf

Chicago

Earthjustice. border-wall-funding-opposition-letter-20250212-7b9b28be34aba137.pdf. 2025. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/border-wall-funding-opposition-letter-20250212.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Earthjustice |title=border-wall-funding-opposition-letter-20250212-7b9b28be34aba137.pdf |date=12 February 2025 |url=https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/border-wall-funding-opposition-letter-20250212.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{earthjustice2025borderwallfundingoppositionletter202502127b9b28be34aba137pdf, author = {{Earthjustice}}, title = {{border-wall-funding-opposition-letter-20250212-7b9b28be34aba137.pdf}}, publisher = {Earthjustice}, year = {2025}, month = feb, url = {https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/border-wall-funding-opposition-letter-20250212.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }