U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has approved another waiver to accelerate construction of the border wall in Texas, cutting through environmental and regulatory hurdles.

On Tuesday, Noem issued the seventh waiver under her authority, clearing the way for the construction of a new 30-foot-tall barrier spanning about five miles across Starr and Hidalgo counties at the southern tip of Texas. The waiver allows DHS to bypass requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act and other federal statutes, a move designed to push forward one of former President Donald Trump’s long-standing immigration priorities.

In a justification document, Noem cited security concerns in the region. She pointed to more than 1.5 million illegal border crossings in the past four years and significant drug seizures, including 87 pounds of heroin and over 118 pounds of fentanyl.

Supporters argue that the barrier will help deter unlawful entry and criminal activity. “With waiver in hand, Noem will be able to override the National Environmental Policy Act and other similar requirements,” DHS said in its release.

But the decision has sparked sharp criticism from environmental advocates, who say the waiver endangers fragile ecosystems. The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) issued a statement noting that border crossings have declined significantly over the past year, undermining the administration’s justification. The group highlighted that the proposed construction area is home to endangered species such as ocelots and aplomado falcons, as well as hundreds of migratory birds and rare plants.

"There's a special cruelty in walling off national wildlife refuges that were created for conservation," said Laiken Jordahl, the center's Southwest Conservation Advocate. "These lands exist to protect endangered species and connect fragmented habitat, not to be bulldozed for Trump's wall."

The center has previously taken legal action against similar waivers during the Trump administration, arguing that the repeated suspension of environmental protections undermines U.S. conservation laws.

This waiver follows several similar actions by Noem in recent months. In July, she approved a waiver for 17 miles of barrier construction along the Rio Grande, citing migrant crossings through waterways. A month earlier, another waiver cleared the way for a 27-mile section near Tucson, Arizona, extending into New Mexico.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, roughly 100 miles of border wall projects remain in various stages of completion, funded through earlier congressional appropriations. The legislation, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” allocated $46.5 billion for a mix of barriers, patrol operations, surveillance technology, cameras, and sensors.

The debate underscores the sharp divide between federal authorities pushing for expedited border security and conservation groups warning of irreversible ecological harm. With additional construction expected in coming months, the conflict over balancing immigration enforcement with environmental stewardship is likely to intensify.

Originally reported by Jake Thomas in UPI.