Federal officials say the Bush administration will bypass more than 30 laws and regulations in an effort to complete 670 miles of fence along the southwest U.S. border by the end of this year.
The legal waivers -- which Congress authorized -- would cut through bureaucratic red tape and sidestep environmental laws that currently stand in the way of the Homeland Security Department building 267 miles of fencing in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
The step was confirmed Tuesday by officials familiar with the plan who spoke on condition of anonymity because the waivers have yet to be announced.
The move is the biggest use of legal waivers since the administration started building the fence, and it will cover a total of 470 miles along the Southwest border.
Previously, the department has used its waiver authority for two portions of fence in Arizona and one portion in San Diego.
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