Save Our Wildlife From Border Fences

Our elected representatives are again trying to tackle immigration reform. But newly released proposals are looking like more of the same ineffectual policies all over again.

Some members of Congress are supporting more construction of ineffective, expensive and disastrous fencing as a border strategy.

So far, 37 federal laws -- including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act -- have been waived along the border to build about 650 miles of walls and other barriers without regard to environmental protection or public health and safety, and without any public review or comment.

There is little evidence that waivers and walls have been effective at stopping border crossings. But it is clear that these expensive measures pose a grave threat to America's unique and fragile borderlands environment, putting communities, wildlife and wildlands at risk.

Please take action using the form below; send a clear message to your senators: "No Walls, No Waivers."
Dear [Senator],

I'm writing with great concern over the border-security provisions included in Senate Bill 744 and other comprehensive immigration reform proposals currently being considered by Congress.

[Your comment will be added here]

While immigration reform is a very important issue that needs to be addressed, pursuing the same failed and disastrous policies of the past is not the way to do it.

Current reform proposals emphasize expansion and new construction of the incredibly expensive, ineffective and destructive border wall above other strategies. The border wall has not been shown to have any discernible effect on migrant traffic, yet it has caused massive flooding, erosion and other environmental damage. The wall has caused millions of dollars of damage to private property and public lands alike, including national parks, monuments and wildlife refuges.

Current reform proposals compound this misguided strategy by ensuring that wall construction and other border-security activities take place with no environmental review or opportunity for meaningful public input. The proposals expand the REAL ID waiver authority granted to the Department of Homeland Security to waive all laws with regard to wall construction to cover other border security activities. Creating a lawless zone in the border region would do little to stop illegal immigration, yet would ensure a continuation and worsening of the major human and environmental impacts we've seen along the border wall.

The laws that have been waived along the border -- including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act -- are in place to protect all Americans, not just those who live far away from the border. It makes no sense to endanger and harm the people and wildlife that live near the border under the guise of protecting them.

Please act to support amendments that would strip the emphasis on new wall construction and waivers of law from any immigration reform proposals moving through Congress.

Sincerely,

[Your name]
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