Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva is calling on the federal government to suspend construction of its border infrastructure projects until it has meaningfully engaged with the Tohono O’odham Nation.
“This is not just a border construction project. This is about tribal sovereignty,” Grijalva said during a visit to Quitobaquito Springs, a sacred cultural site for the Tohono O’odham and Hia-Ced O’odham at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, on Monday.
The Hia-Ced O’odham is a tribe related to the Tohono O’odham. It is also the only indigenous tribe in Arizona that is not federally recognized.
The spring feeds into a pond that supports endemic species like the Quitobaquito spring snail and the Sonoyta mud turtle as well as the endangered Quitobaquito pupfish.
“I want to be very clear, I 100% support the Tohono O’odham Nation and its decision to challenge this construction in court,” Grijalva said.
In June, the Tohono O’odham Nation filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to prevent the federal government from taking reservation land and water to construct a border wall on tribal lands.
“For decades, the nation has actively supported the federal government’s border security measures,” tribal leaders said in a press release. “Throughout this time, the nation has consistently made it clear that it was supporting these measures to ensure that a static border wall would not be constructed on its lands.”
Grijalva also announced on Monday that she is working on legislation to rescind the Department of Homeland Security’s sweeping authority to waive federal laws.
“We should not be pouring billions of taxpayer dollars into a second unnecessary wall – that does nothing to actually enhance security – simply for political symbolism,” Grijalva said.
In a letter sent to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum this week, Grijalva is demanding an explanation as to how both agencies intend to uphold federal trust, respect tribal sovereignty and prevent further damage to culturally significant sites.
According to Grijalva’s office, the proposed legislation is still in its early stages, but the congresswoman plans to work with fellow Democrats on the Homeland Security Committee once Congress returns to session in September.
The Nation’s reservation shares a 62-mile international border with Mexico.
An existing 30-foot steel bollard border wall already exists about 200 feet from Quitobaquito Springs.
The Trump Administration’s plans to build a second wall about 100-feet north of that wall has raised concerns about what could happen to the historic and fragile oasis.
On Tuesday, about 20 armed and masked federal agents entered the Nation to prepare for border wall construction.
The action comes weeks after the Nation had posted “No Trespassing” signs near its entrances in anticipation of construction.
