Trump Admin Accused of Stealing Water for Border Wall Construction

New Mexico filed a lawsuit against the federal government on Wednesday, alleging that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and border wall contractors violated New Mexico's water laws during the construction of border barriers. The complaint, filed by state engineer Elizabeth Anderson, claims that the defendants drilled water wells on federal land without obtaining necessary permits.

The state is seeking a court order to halt further drilling, remediate existing wells, and force defendants to repay illegally withdrawn water. New Mexico argues that federal agencies must comply with state water regulations, even on federal land, as established Western water law and prior court rulings make clear.