Assessing the Cultural and Environmental Impact of Trump's Border Wall
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report stating that the border wall championed by former President Donald Trump caused significant damage to the environment and Native American cultural sites. The construction of the 450-mile barrier disregarded environmental and historic preservation laws, resulting in harm to endangered species, disrupted water flow, and destruction of sacred sites. The report also highlighted negative effects caused by the Biden administration's pause on construction, including incomplete drainage systems and unfinished reclamation work. The GAO recommended that Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) evaluate the impacts of the barrier and work with the Interior Department to implement mitigation actions, with input from tribes and communities along the border. CBP and Interior have agreed to implement the recommendations.