Source: Fox News
Summary
A federal judge in Arizona has ruled in favor of the federal government, allowing border wall construction to proceed on the Tohono O’odham Nation’s southern border with Mexico. The tribe had argued that the construction would constitute illegal trespassing and effectively shrink the reservation. Judge Richard Leon cited a 1907 federal proclamation that allows the government to take the first 60 feet of the reservation for federal use. The ruling comes as the Trump administration celebrates 15 consecutive months of zero border releases at the U.S.-Mexico border.
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As expected, the matter has reached another stage.
Judge Leon’s ruling relies on a 1907 proclamation by President Theodore Roosevelt, which declared that all public land within 60 feet of an international boundary is under the exclusive control of the federal government. The Tohono O’odham Nation had erected “no trespassing” signs in reaction to federal workers visiting the border sites. The tribe’s Facebook post warned of trespassing and informed of the need to escort federal workers off the Nation’s land. The judge’s decision comes as the Trump administration touts its border security agenda, with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stating that daily apprehensions at the border are down 94% compared to the previous administration.
The ritual of citing historical proclamations to justify current actions continues.
Author: Evan Null
