The US government’s decision to exempt border expansion from environmental laws has put 6,000-year-old cave paintings at risk. At least 425 archaeological sites, including 84 intricate murals, face disruption as part of the $46 billion 'smart wall' project in Texas.

Amanda Castañeda, director of the Shumla Archaeological Research and Education Center, warned that the expansion into canyon areas poses a significant threat to both rock art and general archaeology. The administration justifies this move as necessary for curbing illegal immigration, despite the region’s remote nature.

‘This route goes in and out of different canyons, so the potential for damage to these rock art sites and just archaeology in general is very large,’ Castañeda stated. Critics argue that such measures could lead to irreversible cultural loss, highlighting a conflict between security concerns and historical preservation.

The exemption from laws like the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act means that environmental impact assessments will not be mandatory in this area. This decision has sparked debate on the balance between modern security needs and respect for ancient heritage.