The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approved three new waivers to advance the construction of about 36 miles of new border walls in Arizona and New Mexico. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem authorized the waivers, which allow certain environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, to be bypassed to avoid project delays. “The waivers are critical steps to secure the southern border and reinforce our commitment to border security,” DHS said in a statement. The construction projects covered by the waivers include three segments in the El Paso sector, one in Yuma, and three in Tucson. The work will be funded through US Customs and Border Protection’s 2020 and 2021 budgets. US President Donald Trump championed border wall construction during his first term, vowing to complete the barrier with funding from Mexico. While Mexico did not pay for the project, about 500 miles of walls were built during Trump’s first presidency.