Los Angeles, CA — In response to today’s announcement by the Department of Homeland Security to waive environmental laws for border wall construction, California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters), the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), and Chispa released the following statements:
“We are deeply disappointed and concerned by the decision to waive dozens of environmental laws to expedite the construction of a border wall. These environmental laws were put in place to safeguard our communities, natural resources, wildlife habitats, and ecosystems,” said EnviroVoters Political & Organizing Director Mike Young. “Not only does this raise significant environmental concerns, but it also sends a troubling message about our commitment to human rights, environmental protection, and ethical governance. It is critical that we work towards an approach that aligns with our nation’s core values and includes local communities and environmental advocates in the construction process to ensure it is conducted with consideration for those most affected.”
“We have long opposed the construction of this inhumane wall, and its massive environmental costs are at odds with protecting our communities from the climate crisis, extreme weather, pollution, and environmental injustice,” said LCV Vice President for Federal Policy Matthew Davis. “DHS waiving critical environmental laws intended to protect people, water, land, and endangered species will only continue to harm communities on both sides of the border already experiencing the devastating impacts of the climate crisis. Any and all Congressional mandates to continue this misguided border wall project must be repealed, and the protections of our environmental laws must be enforced.”
“There’s no question that this decision to waive these critical environmental laws will harm our comunidades,” said Chispa National Director Estefany Carrasco-Gonzalez. “While DHS is claiming the need for a border wall is for ‘high illegal entry’, they have already spent enormous resources to use inhumane methods against migrants and refugees at the border, create miles of fencing, border patrol agents, concertina wire, in addition to the U.S. and Mexican troops stationed there. Congress must defund this harmful border wall and ensure respect for our comunidades as well as our environmental laws.”
###
CONTACT:
Erika Guzman Cornejo
310-755-1615
erika@envirovoters.org
Share this press release
ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
