So, here’s the thing, you see, we are now witnessing a lawsuit against the current President Joe Biden who stopped the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall. It seems so simple, right? But then again, that’s where things get interesting, as the lawsuit isn’t only about immigration or politics, it remains primarily a matter of environmental laws. In particular, it is NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) that comes into play and which states that before any major governmental decision, the environmental effects must be analyzed.
All in all, in this situation, the Arizona ranchers are annoyed because they assert that the Biden administration has not adequate environmental studies done to suspend the wall construction act. So, let’s break down what is happening, why these ranchers are so upset about it all, and what this could mean for the country in the future. Here we go.
So, What Is The Specific Reason Behind This Biden Border Wall NEPA Lawsuit?
First of all, let us quickly go back to the context, shall we? You see, it was very important for Donald Trump during his presidency, to construct a border wall so that illegal immigration could be reduced. But the thing is under NEPA, before a project like that can start, the government must assess its effect on wildlife, ecosystems, and natural resources. And that is a must.
Now, it is 2021 and Biden is the President. One of his first actions? Telling that the construction of the wall will not continue, just as he had said during the election. But, this one is important, his administration did not do an environmental evaluation under NEPA before putting a stop to the construction. And this is where the problem with the court started.
What’s Got Arizona Ranchers Upset?
So what is the problem? Arizona ranchers, Steven Smith and Gail Getzwiller, along with a few others filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration. Why’s that though? Well, they state that the stopping of the wall construction has a strong adverse impact on their property and livelihood. Their argument is this: once the NEPA-required review was omitted, the Biden administration was responsible for the environmental and economic disaster.
Specifically, the ranchers argue that the suspension of construction increased the number of migrants who traversed their lands and thus led to property destruction, which is a valid thing. This sure has become a super big issue in the country right now because literally millions of people have crossed the border under the watch of Biden and Kamala Harris. The ranchers even recounted incidents such as the trash left behind by migrants, cattle injuries, and water sources, which are issues that are of great concern in the desert environment of Arizona. They are sure that if the administration had obeyed the NEPA before stopping the wall the situation would have been avoided.
The Court’s Decision: NEPA Rules Matter
Ultimately, Judge Trevor McFadden, who is a Trump appointee, decided to side with the ranchers. He pointed out that the Biden administration had not adhered to the NEPA regulations and explained that even if there is a change in jobs, the president can still do it in the correct manner. So, in effect, these are things that should be mentioned without saying such laws do not apply presidentially which McFadden’s judgment highlighted: Environmental laws cannot be ignored no matter how ambitious your agenda is. All in all, illegal immigration is going on and there is no one in the government doing anything to stop it. The election is in progress, and if Trump wins, let’s see if he holds the position that he is claiming in his election campaigns, which is to stop this illegal immigration crisis from day one.
