US Supreme court clears way for Trump to resume border wall construction in Texas
by Anustupa Mishra · KalingaTVAdvertisement
USA: The US Supreme Court has allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to resume construction of border barriers and related infrastructure in the Big Bend region of West Texas, including areas around Big Bend National Park.
The court on Monday lifted a federal judge’s order that had stopped the project while a lawsuit challenging the construction proceeds. The decision marks a major boost to Trump’s long-standing plan to strengthen security along the US-Mexico border.
The project has faced opposition from environmental groups, local residents and conservationists, who argue that construction could damage the region’s wildlife, natural landscape and historic sites.
The lawsuit was filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, a local river guide and a group seeking to protect a historic church in Ruidosa, Texas.
The challengers have questioned the Trump administration’s decision to waive several environmental and conservation laws to speed up construction. These include laws protecting endangered species, the environment and historic sites.
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In October, US District Judge Kathleen Cardone had halted the project, ruling that the administration’s waivers lacked clear congressional authorisation.
The government challenged that decision before the Supreme Court, arguing that the construction was necessary to address illegal border crossings and drug trafficking.
According to the administration’s plan, most of the construction in the Big Bend region will take place on privately owned land.
The national park is expected to receive a 17-mile, non-contiguous vehicle barrier system rather than the 30-foot pedestrian wall planned for other border areas.
The legal challenge against the project will continue even as construction is allowed to move forward. The Supreme Court’s decision does not finally settle the wider dispute over the environmental impact and legality of the project.
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