New Bill Aims to Amend Wilderness Act for Immigration Enforcement
Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah has introduced the "Border Lands Conservation Act" to amend the Wilderness Act of 1964.
This amendment would allow the Department of Homeland Security to conduct immigration enforcement actions in borderland wilderness areas.
Lee wrote that illegal immigration leads to environmental degradation in these areas, like trash buildup, wildfires started by undocumented immigrants, unauthorized trail building, and cattle and livestock escaping when people cut fences.
Public lands advocates argue that this is an excuse to roll back environmental protections.
Author's summary: New bill proposes amendments to the Wilderness Act for immigration enforcement.