Staff Reports
The crisis at the southern border has taken a disturbing turn, as Mexico prepares to release 400 million gallons of untreated sewage into the Tijuana River. This environmental disaster is not new—it has plagued Southern California for decades—but the scale of the current situation highlights the urgent need for action. Beaches in San Diego County, once bustling with activity, now face closures due to hazardous pollution. Residents, Navy SEALs, and local businesses are suffering from the unchecked contamination’s health and economic consequences.
San Diego Supervisor Jim Desmond has been vocal about Mexico’s negligence, accusing authorities of using the United States as a dumping ground for their waste. Instead of diverting sewage to treatment facilities during infrastructure maintenance, Mexico allows it to flow directly into the river and across the border. This lack of accountability has led to severe public health risks, including respiratory illnesses and waterborne diseases. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been slow to act, despite mounting pressure from local officials and communities.
Lee Zeldin, the EPA Administrator under President Trump, recently announced plans to visit the border and assess the crisis firsthand. His statement demanding immediate solutions from Mexico underscores a shift in federal priorities. For too long, bureaucratic delays and empty promises have left American communities vulnerable. Zeldin’s approach signals a tougher stance on holding Mexico accountable for its environmental impact—a move that many hope will bring tangible results.
The silence from environmental activists on this issue is striking. While they often rally against climate change and industrial pollution, their absence in addressing this cross-border sewage catastrophe raises questions about priorities. Local leaders like Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre have criticized both state and federal governments for failing to declare an emergency or provide sufficient resources to combat the crisis. The EPA’s rejection of Superfund designation for the Tijuana River Valley further exemplifies this lack of urgency.
Ultimately, this crisis is a stark reminder of the consequences of weak border policies and international agreements that fail to hold foreign nations accountable. Mexico’s failure to address its crumbling infrastructure is now America’s problem, impacting public health, local economies, and national security. It’s time for decisive action—not only to clean up the mess but to ensure that such negligence doesn’t continue unchecked. Americans deserve clean beaches, safe communities, and leaders who prioritize their well-being over political expediency.
