Border Wall Construction Reboots as Noem Grants New Waivers

By Matthew Holloway |

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led by Secretary Kristi Noem, has initiated the issuance of three new waivers facilitating the construction of 36 miles of border wall in Arizona and New Mexico. Among these projects, the Tucson Sonoita Project stands out, covering approximately 24.7 miles of border.

These waivers enable the DHS to bypass certain environmental regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act. This action aims to expedite the construction of physical barriers and access roads. Such waivers are permitted under Section 102 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.

As reported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the waivers will apply to projects that received funding in Fiscal Year 2020 and 2021. Beyond the Tucson Sonoita stretch, the waivers also cover roughly seven miles of the El Paso Sector’s Santa Teresa Secondary Wall Project and around 2.1 miles for the Tucson 10-6 Project. Furthermore, several gaps in the El Paso and Yuma Sectors will be closed, including seven significant openings in the Yuma Sector Barry M. Goldwater Range Wall Project, ranging from 40 feet to a quarter mile.

The specific project breakdown includes:

• El Paso Sector Santa Teresa Secondary Wall Project (~7 miles)
• El Paso Sector 16-4 Wall Project Anapra (~1.3 miles)
• El Paso Sector 2 Wall Project & Port of Entry (POE) Gate (~0.2 mile & ~40 feet)
• Yuma Sector Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR) Wall Project (7 gaps; ~40-240 feet)
• Tucson Sonoita Project (~24.7 miles)
• Tucson 10-4 Project (~0.2 miles)
• Tucson 10-6 Project (~2.1 miles)

DHS emphasized that these resumed projects will close vital gaps in the border wall, thereby enhancing security operations across the U.S. Border Patrol’s El Paso, Tucson, and Yuma Sectors.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.