1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose border wall construction on protected public lands and support efforts to repeal the 2005 REAL ID Act, which has enabled the destruction of irreplaceable cultural and environmental resources. At Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, a UNESCO-recognized International Biosphere Reserve designated in 1976 as a pristine example of an intact Sonoran Desert ecosystem, controlled blasting for a 30-foot-tall steel barrier spanning 43 miles has destroyed Native American burial sites. The Tohono O'odham Nation was never consulted before construction began on land they have inhabited since time immemorial. Tribal Chairman Ned Norris Jr. has emphasized the tribe's obligation to protect their ancestors and artifacts, some dating back 10,000 years. An internal National Park Service report indicates that up to 22 archaeological sites within Organ Pipe alone face destruction from this project. Construction crews have also destroyed ancient saguaro cacti, which the O'odham people view as embodiments of their ancestors. Environmental groups have raised concerns about damage to the local underground aquifer and impacts on migrating wildlife in this remote desert region. The 2005 REAL ID Act has allowed the federal government to waive dozens of laws protecting Native American graves, endangered species, and the environment in the name of national security. This sweeping authority has enabled construction to proceed without meaningful consultation with affected tribes or consideration of irreversible cultural and environmental damage. Congressman Raul Grijalva, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, plans to convene a congressional hearing in the coming weeks to work towards repealing this act. I urge you to support this effort and oppose any border wall construction that destroys protected lands, violates tribal sovereignty, and circumvents environmental protections. Our national monuments and the cultural heritage they contain deserve better than this sacrilegious destruction.