New Episode! S3E8: The Border Wall

Environmental and Humanitarian Ramifications Unveiled

Key Takeaways

• The construction of the US-Mexico border wall has profound ecological and social implications, especially for border communities and wildlife.

• The wall disregards the essential migratory paths of both humans and animal species, causing potential local extinctions and disrupting evolutionary histories.

• Implementing effective immigration and labor management solutions could address the issues the wall was ostensibly intended to confront.

The Border Wall's Destructive Impact on Wildlife Migration

The construction of the US-Mexico border wall presents a dire situation for wildlife in the arid Southwest. As Myles Traphagen from the Wildlands Network outlines in the most recent episode of 90 Miles from Needles, this artificial barrier has transformed the natural migration routes of numerous species. With only a handful of springs in vast desert landscapes, the restricted movement severely undermines the survival prospects of animals like the jaguar, Sonoran pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and many others.

"So what concerns me is what we don't see. How many animals have been out there dying, suffering, […] because it's in very remote country."

Traphagen's perspective not only sheds light on the visible consequences — those we can witness and measure — but also the unseen tragedies. The wall has created death zones for wildlife, forcing them into more dangerous territories, increasing their vulnerability to predation and environmental pressures. This misplaced human intervention disrupts ecosystems and could potentially lead to extirpations of cherished wildlife species, forever changing the ecological landscape of the borderlands.

The Wall: A Symbol of Misguided Human Migration Policy

The transcript reveals a stark contrast between the goals of the border wall and the reality of its effectiveness. With record-high immigration levels following the construction of the wall, the speakers criticize its basic premise and offer insights into the potential motives behind immigration. People seeking a better life and asylum are not only driven by significant factors such as violence and economic hardship, but also aspire to contribute to the labor force where there's demand — a point often overlooked in national debates.

"I've encountered people from 30 different countries along the border over the last couple of years, and I don't believe that if you've come here from Ethiopia, Mali, Iraq, that you're going to encounter a border wall and say, “hey, everybody, I know we came all this way. We're not going to be able to get over this thing."

Traphagen's compelling statements address the resilience of those seeking asylum and the inadequacy of the wall as a deterrent. By illustrating the determination of migrants, he dismisses the notion of the wall as an effective means of immigration control. Instead, it's posited that implementing pragmatic labor and immigration solutions would better serve both the United States and those wanting to contribute to its economy.

The Ecological Experiment: Unregulated and Uncharted

In what Traphagen refers to as "an uncontrolled experiment," the border wall has been erected without the prerequisite studies, baseline data, or environmental assessments typically mandated by law. By waiving numerous protective acts through the Real ID Act of 2005, the federal government allowed for unfettered construction, neglecting the complex dynamics of the region's ecosystems.

"We are effectively altering the evolutionary history of the North American continent. And we don't even know what we're doing because we're doing it in such a haphazard, knee jerk reaction way."

The omission of vital research underscores the potential risks associated with the border wall. These actions have not only immediate impacts but also broader implications for the evolutionary paths of species affected by the wall. The lack of data on the environmental consequences leaves a gap in our understanding of the full range of effects.

As the conversation between Chris Clarke and Traphagen continues, we are reminded of the human aspect of border politics. The stark realities imposed by the wall not only affect the migrant experience but also the communities living in its shadows. To echo Clarke's sentiments, a deeper investigation into these implications is not just necessary; it's a moral imperative.

We must acknowledge the environmental repercussions of political decisions. The future of migration — both human and wildlife — may very well depend on our ability to confront these issues head-on and embrace comprehensive, empathetic policies that honor our shared borders and biotic communities.

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This newsletter is a project of the nonprofit Desert Advocacy Media Network. D.A.M.N. also produces the 90 Miles from Needles desert protection podcast and Letters From the Desert, an email newsletter by desert writer Chris Clarke.