Dear Decision Maker,

The building of the border wall across the San Pedro River in Cochise County, Arizona has given many of us an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness and despair. The San Pedro River is a sanctuary to us and especially to our children, in this hot desert, hectic modern world, and times of a brutal pandemic. 

Many of us have repeatedly voiced our concerns about the impact of the border wall, only to have them ignored by our public officials, Border Patrol, and the Department of Homeland Security. The recently released border wall plans show a structure that will have gates that swing open during the monsoons to avoid flooding. With the force of water and the large amounts of debris that rush down the river during floods, it is extremely probable this structure will be destroyed or obstruct the flow of our precious river. Large openings negate the intended purpose. The wall is unnecessary when electronic surveillance already exists to monitor this area. The wall is not needed! 

The intricate and interdependent web of roughly 80 species of mammals, 250 species of birds, many native fish, and amphibians greatly depend on the river and this wall will definitely impact their survival. This wall will initiate irreparable environmental damage while doing nothing to address the root causes of the immigration and human rights crisis along our southern border. 

While awarded construction firms, Kiewet and Southwest Valley Constructors, receive an appalling sum of 1.8 billion dollars for this project, the citizens of the borderlands and especially our children will suffer greatly from the environmental and social impacts the wall will bring. 

For all these reasons, I urge you to demand accountability from DHS/CBP and request that they halt border wall construction and begin a comprehensive and thorough review to avoid the profound social, environmental, and economic damage the wall will cause if these critical measures are not conducted. I also ask for your support on the proposed House Appropriations Committee FY21 line items which Ban federal funding for border wall construction; Rescind $1.4B previously allocated for border wall construction from the last cycle; Provide money for environmental remediation from border wall destruction; Restrict several key environmental and historic spaces from wall construction; and Cut more than $1 billion in spending for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. 

On behalf of myself and our children, I’m asking you to please do everything in your power to protect the San Pedro River and stop the border wall construction. The fear-mongering of our beloved borderlands must end, for the sake of nature and future generations.