Arizona is removing shipping containers along the US-Mexico border after the US government filed a lawsuit over what it says is a temporary wall built to illegally remove refugees on federal land, according to reports. guardian.
According to the agreement, Arizona will work to demolish the wall and associated equipment by early next year. “2023. By January 4, the State of Arizona will remove all pre-erected shipping containers and associated equipment, materials, and vehicles, to the fullest extent possible and without harm to the land, property, and natural resources of the United States,” the agreement states.
In August, Doug Ducey, the Republican governor of Arizona, signed an executive order authorizing construction of the wall. According to him, this was necessary because the government of Joe Biden did not properly protect the borders, thus violating its duty. According to him, the situation caused by the refugees overburdens hospitals and the police.
The deal comes shortly before Katie Hobbs, the Democratic governor-elect of Arizona, takes office. Hobbes criticized the building of the wall.
The US government sued the case because they believed the wall that was erected was “trespassing on federal land”. They also demand compensation for this. Attention has also been drawn to aspects of environmental protection.
The US Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, also criticized the project, saying, “It is an ineffective barrier, poses a safety hazard to both residents and workers in the area, and has caused significant damage to public lands.”
Ducey’s spokesperson issued a statement Thursday welcoming the decision and hoping that after the temporary wall is demolished, the US government will finally build a regular border.
