Under the pretext of preventing drug and human trafficking across the border with Mexico, Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, signed a waiver that allows for the faster installation of a storm barrier over the Rio Grande River along 17 miles over that flows through Texas.

The 53-year-old Republican responded to a request from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to close the passage in the state governed by Gregory Wayne Abbott to various criminal groups that use Mexico and the Rio Grande as a springboard to traffic prohibited substances and introduce immigrants into the United States.

Through a statement, CBP referred to the importance of sealing a border crossing identified as a route for crime in Texas.

“A capacity gap has been identified in the waterways along the southwest border, where drug trafficking, human trafficking and other dangerous and illegal activities occur.

In response to this gap, CBP has identified the need to build river barriers to support the border security mission on the waterways.

In addition, the river barriers aim to create a safer border environment for patrol officers, as well as deterring undocumented immigrants from attempting to cross the border illegally through dangerous waterways,” the letter states.

Since the previous federal administration, the Texas government allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to seal much of the border, including the installation of an extensive chain of buoys on the Rio Grande, which are equipped with blades capable of injuring those who dare to challenge them.

However, last month, Texas legislators approved a budget that no longer includes funds to build a wall that would prevent foreigners without legal status from entering the country through the border with Mexico.

In any case, the fiscal plan approved this Thursday by the Senate includes an increase of $150 billion in funds to continue said construction.