New Wall Construction and Borderlands Resistance  ## Metadata - Author: [[It Could Happen Here]] - Full Title: New Wall Construction and Borderlands Resistance - Category: #podcasts - URL: https://share.snipd.com/episode/a3fa5a5a-8848-42ca-a779-81728905931e ## Document Notes ## Highlights - **New Wall Threatens Otay Mountain Wilderness** - The Border Patrol proposes ~9.7 miles of new barrier and 51+ miles of related infrastructure near Otay Mountain and Tecate Peak. - Construction will fragment habitat, block wildlife corridors, and risk long-term damage to rare species and sacred Indigenous sites. Transcript: Erick Meza Hi, everybody. So happy to be here and not so happy to be sharing this news. But so what the announcement was recently by the Border Patrol, especially on the San Diego area, is the announcement of the approximately 9.7 miles of new border barrier system. And on top of that, uh, over 51 miles of what they call now system attributes. Yeah. And this is going to have a huge impact on the area. Uh, this is going to be, uh, about 2.9 miles west of the Tecalco port of entry, going through an area that it is very remote, mountain region. And some of the people here in this are more familiar than I am. I've actually never been, but I've been talking to some of the local organizations that do humanitarian aid in the region. And I know that Tecate Peak is in that area. And then you start going west into these beautiful mountains that are also the birthplace of the Tijuana River. That's exactly the area where it's going to go. So right now, CBP is accepting comments and asking people in the community what kind of concerns do they have? Concerns in regards of the environmental impacts of a project like this, what kind of social and economical impacts. So they open up this section on their website with an email address where people can share some of these concerns. As you mentioned, I'm part of an environmental organization, but we also have all kinds of concerns for a project like this, including the border barrier and the system attributes, Which are very poorly described of what they mean. Is the increase of lighting infrastructure, surveillance equipment, and new roads for access for Border Patrol vehicles. So one of the things that we're going to expect that we have seen in other areas is more blasting through the mountain, especially on areas where the mountain is so uneven, the terrain, There is a lot of heavy machinery. It has to come into those places to start bulldozing, to level the terrain so they can start building this border wall. So we can expect some of that. And with that come a lot of issues because there is going to be the need to start drilling wells at the border to extract this water for mixing the concrete for the foundation. If there was any road out there, they're going to probably widen the road two or three times to allow this having machinery to access these remote areas. And this is just going to be the beginning, just setting up the panels. But whenever you go to these places and start disturbing the native soil, you can expect all kinds of consequences in regards to invasive species of plants. You can also expect some flooding and removal of native vegetation. In some cases, there are some species that are rare in the area. Having these impacts can be long-lasting for them to be able to recover if they're able to do so. The area on the south side of the border is also an area where animals need to be moving back and forth. So species like the native mule deer, a colony that lives there, there is a mountain lion and other species of mammals. So pretty much everything that is four inches wide, it's not going to be able to make it through that border wall. ([Time 0:03:00](https://share.snipd.com/snip/2d91a554-804f-478d-bede-194825ef5391)) - **Construction Spurs Long-Term Ecological Harm** - Heavy machinery, blasting, wells for concrete, and widened access roads will increase invasive plants, flooding, and vegetation loss. - Disturbing native soils and water sources creates long-lasting ecological harm that may be irreversible for some species. Transcript: Erick Meza So one of the things that we're going to expect that we have seen in other areas is more blasting through the mountain, especially on areas where the mountain is so uneven, the terrain, There is a lot of heavy machinery. It has to come into those places to start bulldozing, to level the terrain so they can start building this border wall. So we can expect some of that. And with that come a lot of issues because there is going to be the need to start drilling wells at the border to extract this water for mixing the concrete for the foundation. If there was any road out there, they're going to probably widen the road two or three times to allow this having machinery to access these remote areas. And this is just going to be the beginning, just setting up the panels. But whenever you go to these places and start disturbing the native soil, you can expect all kinds of consequences in regards to invasive species of plants. You can also expect some flooding and removal of native vegetation. In some cases, there are some species that are rare in the area. ([Time 0:05:06](https://share.snipd.com/snip/1461c74b-b71b-41cf-98e6-c20892e804fe)) - **Huge Funding Enables Massive Expansion** - The administration allocated $46.5 billion to border security, including billions more for new barriers and tech. - Plans include funding for 230 miles of new physical barriers and 400 miles of surveillance tech, enabling doubling of walls in remote monuments. Transcript: Erick Meza We got this announcement that out of this funding, the $46.5 billion, they allocated a little bit over $4 billion. And this will fund them 230 miles of new physical barriers and 400 miles of surveillance technology across the U.S.-Mexico border from California to Texas. And they put up a new section on their website where there is a map that you can navigate. It's an interactive map that shows every single section of the border and what they're planning to do with it. And as surreal as it sounds, they are planning to double up the wall. So in some places, in remote areas in the desert, like in Organ Pipe National Monument or Cabeza Prieta in Arizona, in those areas, there is plans to build a secondary wall. ([Time 0:10:57](https://share.snipd.com/snip/3bb5bb45-28a1-4f6e-ab21-bbb9b9df0d5c)) - **Militarization Pushes People Into Deadlier Routes** - Doubling walls and militarized infrastructure pushes migration into more remote, dangerous terrain. - That displacement increases deaths, creates new human traffic in fragile wilderness, and drives new access roads and patrol impacts. Transcript: James Stout Yeah, we have that in San Ysidro, right? We have a double 30-foot barrier. The Biden administration used it to corral people seeking asylum, right? They kept them in between the two walls and then denied that they were in detention. I don't know if we'll see that again. But like, I guess just from my own experience, you know, participating in mutual aid along the border, those remote desert areas are where people go when we build wall in Otay, right? When we continue to detain and turn people back in less remote areas, they will take the risk of going to a more remote area and forcing people into those remote areas and then constructing Barriers there too. It's just going to cause more deaths. It's not going to stop people trying to come because there are things that they are leaving which are terrible. But it will mean that they get stuck out there in the heat without water for longer, right? That's correct, James. Erick Meza So exactly what you said. People in San Diego and like the border in Otay, you already have that double wall. So, you know, like having this hyper militarized area and how that is going to expand. And the consequences of that is, as you mentioned, you push people out further, more areas. And two things happen by doing that. First and most important, more people die. ([Time 0:12:03](https://share.snipd.com/snip/d9561f65-34da-49f1-8114-a1a60ba4c6fb)) - **Community Stopped A Makeshift Wall** - Community outrage in Arizona stopped a governor's illegal shipping-container wall that would have destroyed remote desert habitat. - Locals physically showed up to halt machines and the containers were removed, though taxpayers lost $200 million. Transcript: Erick Meza Yeah. A bunch of people really came together on the community outrage because this was just some really dumb idea in one of the most remote, beautiful areas where there is not even people moving Through. And it was just going to destroy the environment. And the governor went out there and spent $200 million of taxpayers' money to buy these shipping containers and build these border walls. So we were actually, all the community came together. We showed up out there in the desert and stopped the machines. And we said, no, you're not going to move any further. And because what they were doing was actually illegal we were able to get away with it and those shipping containers are gone right now still uh Arizona taxpayer paid 200 million dollars To destroy their own environment just let that sink in we can't be using that money for much better things. ([Time 0:18:32](https://share.snipd.com/snip/f4cc4a7b-2634-4a85-aff8-824bfec629ba)) - **Narrative Shapes Policy And Public Perception** - National coverage often shapes a negative, militarized narrative about the border that erases local culture and beauty. - Changing the narrative by showcasing community resilience and the region's diversity can shift public perception and policy momentum. Transcript: Erick Meza I think it does get talked about, but unfortunately the narrative that is usually built around it is really negative. Yeah, that's fair. And of course, that's with an intention, right? Of continuing to build up this militarized state or sacrifice zone. And so whenever I talk with the people that is here for the first time, you know, they do these group presentations for delegations that come from all over the country to experience the Borderlands region. And they're like, they have all this perspective, you know, for what they hear on the news about how horrible this is. And then they come here and they're like, wow, people here is like really nice. And we have had a great experience and I really inspire. And it's like coming with this prefabricated narrative on their minds of this wasteland sacrifice zone, you know, like, and then going out after experience. Yes some of that and of course if you go out to the uh to the border and experience the wall and the rolls and rolls of concert you know wire that make it look like you're not worse on yeah plus The plus what you already have in your mind you know it just keeps building up the intensity and then you hear the stories from people, the struggle from migrants and stories from back In 2023, when we had the search of migrants coming and all these things, but at the end, people leave with a glimpse also like, wow, this place is really beautiful and a lot of wonderful Things are happening. A lot of movements or people trying to organize and make it a better place and trying really hard to shift this narrative. You know, the borderlands provide us a good opportunity, you know, because what we see today, like a friend of mine said, it can get worse. And it's going into that direction. Yeah. Yeah. It's going into that direction. But at the same time, it gives us an opportunity as a society, you know, because whatever happens at the border is definitely going to have a ripple effect in the rest of the country. ([Time 0:22:45](https://share.snipd.com/snip/b388af28-0422-4ae0-8df0-7c5366c1646b)) - **Act Locally Or Fund Border Support** - Start activism where you live; help migrants, shelters, or local causes that reflect border issues. - If unable to travel, support grassroots groups financially or connect volunteers and lobbyists to expand impact. Transcript: James Stout But do you have other ideas on how people can be in solidarity and can come and help? Erick Meza Yeah, definitely. I get this question very often from different people that come to visit. I usually recommend people to start where they are, you know, in their own communities, because there is reflections of border issues in your own community. There are people that are migrating that might need some help. There's people that shelters and all this, or just kind of like get involved with your local, whatever you're passionate about. You know, it doesn't really have to be an environmental issue. Yeah. But we got to remember that social justice and environmental justice is the same thing. Yeah. You know, we got really like, whatever you're passionate about just getting involved but i think the worst thing that we can do right now is just to ignore the fact that we are in a bad spot You know i think a lot of people just wants to continue riding their comfort song wave and it's uh that's gonna end you know? And I think we need to not only think about ourselves, but we need to think about the generations coming ahead of us. And I think it's especially for the people that has already had the opportunity to somehow live a life, you know? But there's some that are about to start the journey. And I think it's our responsibility to make it the best as we can for them as well. So whatever you're passionate about, if you really want to, and you're passionate about border-related issues, and you're not able to come, try to support, you know, like financial Help is, you know, we like it or not, we're in a capitalist society and we move with financial support. ([Time 0:30:38](https://share.snipd.com/snip/9bf3f9b0-b00b-4f48-a57b-48acb3126121)) - **Follow Groups For Comments And Actions** - Follow Sierra Club Borderlands and Border Wall Resistance for updates and action opportunities. - Use those channels to submit comments to CBP, join rallies like Rally for the Valley, or connect with local coalitions. Transcript: Erick Meza Yes, James, thank you. Yeah, we do have all of it. We try to engage people where they are. And we know social media is a powerful tool. We have a website, Ciraclo Borderlands. People can look up some of the work that we do there. We are also active on social media. We are Sierra Club Borderlands. However you look at it, you're going to find us. We're based out of Arizona, but we do organize in different states. We're in collaboration with other organizations as part of a larger coalition. So even if you are in Texas or New Mexico, feel free to reach out. And if you have any concerns, ideas, things that come up to your mind that can make the border a better place, feel free to reach out then uh we can uh collaborate work together on this or At least connect you with some of the local people that are part of the network because we're always looking to make this network bigger you know i think there's many numbers gonna get More and more people to join this coalition yeah in the different states so uh even if you're not on the border of the states, if you're in D.C. And you're doing lobbying and you're into policy change, yeah, come reach out and you can find us on a central website or an Instagram account. We also have a grassroots leader right now called Rally for the Valley. And that's what we're trying to do for the San Rafael Valley. Over there, you're going to be able to find updates. And we created a decentralized website right now that is called Border Wall Resistance. I invite everybody to take a look at it. It's full of beautiful pictures of the border. ([Time 0:35:58](https://share.snipd.com/snip/5f213b51-60be-4dbb-bcb9-6fc4b147d182))