US Federal Judge in San Diego, California to Hear Border Wall Challenge

SAN DIEGO, CA — The Sierra Club and Center for Biological Diversity will present arguments on Friday February 9, in its lawsuit against the Trump administration’s border wall and prototype projects near San Diego. A rally against the wall will precede the hearing.

U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel is presiding over the case, which has been consolidated with similar challenges from the state of California and other conservation groups. Curiel will hear arguments from both sides during the proceeding and could issue his ruling at any time following the hearing.

“The border wall is absolutely against the core Constitutional values of the United States,” said Jill Holslin, a volunteer from Sierra Club’s San Diego Chapter. “Our country was built on immigration and our laws on protecting people, our environment, and safeguarding our freedoms.”

• What: Federal court hearing challenging Trump’s border wall
• Where: U.S. District Courthouse, 333 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA
• When: Friday, Feb. 9; gathering in front of the courthouse starts at noon; hearing begins at 1:30 p.m.
• Media Availability: Attorneys and organizers will be available for media interviews outside the courthouse, before and after the hearing.

Background

The Department of Homeland Security exempted itself from more than 30 laws to rush construction of border-wall replacement projects and prototypes south of San Diego. But the waiver authority, granted by Congress more than 10 years ago, no longer applies.

The Club and the Center expanded its lawsuit in September to include this issue. The border-wall replacement project would include 14 miles of new primary and secondary border fencing from the Pacific Ocean to Otay Mesa.

This region of coastal San Diego County contains wetlands, streams and other rare wildlife habitats, as well as critical habitat for numerous endangered species.

Beyond jeopardizing wildlife, endangered species and public lands, the U.S.-Mexico border wall is part of a larger strategy of ongoing border militarization that damages human rights, civil liberties, native lands, local businesses and international relations. The border wall impedes the natural migrations of people and wildlife that are essential to healthy diversity.

Source: https://www.sierraclub.org

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