In re Border Infrastructure Envtl. Litig.
In re Border Infrastructure Envtl. Litig.
Opinion of the Court
These three consolidated cases involve challenges to Waiver Determinations made by former Secretaries of the Department of Homeland Security on August 2, 2017 and September 12, 2017 pursuant to section 102 of IIRIRA
The Court is aware that the subject of these lawsuits, border barriers, is currently the subject of heated political debate in and between the United States and the Republic of Mexico as to the need, efficacy and the source of funding for such barriers. In its review of this case, the Court cannot and does not consider whether underlying decisions to construct the border barriers are politically wise or prudent. As fellow Indiana native Chief Justice Roberts observed in addressing a case surrounded by political disagreement: "Court[s] are vested with the authority to interpret the law; we possess neither the expertise nor the prerogative to make policy judgments. Those decisions are entrusted to our Nation's elected leaders, who can be thrown out of office if the people disagree with them. It is not our job to protect the people from the consequences of their political choices."
*1103Nat'l Fed'n of Indep. Bus. v. Sebelius,
Before the Court are three cross-motions for summary judgment. A hearing was held on February 9, 2018. (Dkt. No. 44.) Michael Cayaban, Esq. and Noah Golden Frasner, Esq. appeared on behalf of Plaintiffs People of the State of California and the California Coastal Commission; Brian Segee, Esq. and Brendan Cummings, Esq. appeared on behalf of Plaintiff Center for Biological Diversity; and Sarah Hanneken, Esq. appeared on behalf of the Plaintiffs Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club, and Animal Legal Defense Fund. (Id. ) Galen Thorp, Esq. appeared on behalf of Defendants. (Id. ) The parties filed supplemental briefs on February 13, 2018. (Dkt. Nos. 46, 47, 48, 49.)
Based on the parties' briefs, the supporting documentation, the applicable law, the arguments made at the hearing and the supplemental briefing, the Court DENIES Plaintiffs' motions for summary judgment and GRANTS Defendants' motions for summary judgment.
I. BACKGROUND
A. Section 102 of Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
In 1996, Congress enacted the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act ("IIRIRA"), which, pursuant to Section 102(a), required the Attorney General to "take such actions as may be necessary to install additional physical barriers and roads (including the removal of obstacles to detection of illegal entrants) in the vicinity of the United States border to deter illegal crossings in areas of high illegal entry into the United States." Pub. L. No. 104-208, Div. C., Title I, § 102(a),
Section 102 consists of three sections: (1) section 102(a) describes the general purpose of the statute; (2) section 102(b) specifies Congress' mandate for specific border barrier construction; and (3) section 102(c) grants the Secretary the discretion to waive "all legal requirements" he or she "determines necessary to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and *1104roads" and provides for limited judicial review of the Secretary's waiver decision to solely constitutional violations. See
Since its enactment in 1996, IIRIRA section 102 has been amended three times although the general purpose of the statute under section 102(a) has remained the same. When IIRIRA was first enacted in 1996, section 102(b) mandated "construction along the 14 miles of the international land border of the United States, starting at the Pacific Ocean and extending eastward of second and third fences, in addition to the existing reinforced fence, and for roads between the fences."
The Secure Fence Act of 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-367, § 3,
Fourteen months later, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-161, Div. E, Title V § 564,
In its current version, section 102, codified at
(a) In general. -The Secretary of Homeland Security shall take such actions as may be necessary to install additional physical barriers and roads (including the removal of obstacles to detection of illegal entrants) in the vicinity of the United States border to deter illegal crossings in areas of high illegal entry into the United States.
(b) Construction of fencing and road improvements along the border.-
(1) Additional fencing along southwest border.-
(A) Reinforced fencing. -In carrying out subsection (a) [of this note], the Secretary of Homeland Security shall construct reinforced fencing along not less than 700 miles of the southwest border where fencing would be most practical and effective and provide for the installation of additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors to gain operational control of the southwest border.
(B) Priority areas. -In carrying out this section [ Pub. L. 104-208, Div. C, Title I, § 102, Sept. 30, 1996,110 Stat. 3009 -554, which amended this section and enacted this note], the Secretary of Homeland Security shall-
(i) identify the 370 miles, or other mileage determined by the Secretary, whose authority to determine other mileage shall expire on December 31, 2008, along the southwest border where fencing would be most practical and effective in deterring smugglers and aliens attempting to gain illegal entry into the United States; and
(ii) not later than December 31, 2008, complete construction of reinforced fencing along the miles identified under clause (i).
(C) Consultation. -
(i) In general. -In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consult with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, States, local governments, Indian tribes, and property owners in the United States to minimize the impact on the environment, culture, commerce, and quality of life *1105for the communities and residents located near the sites at which such fencing is to be constructed.
(ii) Savings provision. -Nothing in this subparagraph may be construed to-
(I) create or negate any right of action for a State, local government, or other person or entity affected by this subsection; or
(II) affect the eminent domain laws of the United States or of any State.
(D) Limitation on requirements. -Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), nothing in this paragraph shall require the Secretary of Homeland Security to install fencing, physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors in a particular location along an international border of the United States, if the Secretary determines that the use or placement of such resources is not the most appropriate means to achieve and maintain operational control over the international border at such location.
(2) Prompt acquisition of necessary easements. -The Attorney General, acting under the authority conferred in section 103(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (as inserted by subsection (d) ) [subsec. (b) of this section], shall promptly acquire such easements as may be necessary to carry out this subsection and shall commence construction of fences immediately following such acquisition (or conclusion of portions thereof).
(3) Safety features. -The Attorney General, while constructing the additional fencing under this subsection, shall incorporate such safety features into the design of the fence system as are necessary to ensure the well-being of border patrol agents deployed within or in near proximity to the system.
(4) Authorization of appropriations. -There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this subsection. Amounts appropriated under this paragraph are authorized to remain available until expended.
(c) Waiver. -
(1) In general. -Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall have the authority to waive all legal requirements such Secretary, in such Secretary's sole discretion, determines necessary to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads under this section. Any such decision by the Secretary shall be effective upon being published in the Federal Register.
(2) Federal court review. -
(A) In general. -The district courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear all causes or claims arising from any action undertaken, or any decision made, by the Secretary of Homeland Security pursuant to paragraph (1). A cause of action or claim may only be brought alleging a violation of the Constitution of the United States. The court shall not have jurisdiction to hear any claim not specified in this subparagraph.
(B) Time for filing of complaint. -Any cause or claim brought pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be filed not later than 60 days after the date of the action or decision made by the Secretary of Homeland Security. A claim shall be barred unless it is filed within the time specified.
(C) Ability to seek appellate review. -An interlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order of the district court may be reviewed only upon petition for a writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States."
*1106
B. Factual Background
On January 25, 2017, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order No. 13767 entitled " Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements." (Dkt. No. 30-5, Cayaban Decl., Ex. 7, Executive Order,
The Secretary shall immediately take the following steps to obtain complete operational control, as determined by the Secretary, of the southern border:
(a) In accordance with existing law, including the Secure Fence Act and IIRIRA, take all appropriate steps to immediately plan, design, and construct a physical wall along the southern border, using appropriate materials and technology to most effectively achieve complete operational control of the southern border;
...
(d) Produce a comprehensive study of the security of the southern border, to be completed within 180 days of this order, that shall include the current state of southern border security, all geophysical and topographical aspects of the southern border, the availability of Federal and State resources necessary to achieve complete operational control of the southern border, and a strategy to obtain and maintain complete operational control of the southern border.
(Id. at §§ 4(a) & (d).) " 'Wall' shall mean a contiguous, physical wall or other similarly secure, contiguous, and impassable physical barrier." (Id. at § 3(e).)
On August 2, 2017, former DHS Secretary John Kelly issued a Determination Pursuant to Section 102 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, as Amended ("August 2 Waiver Determination" or "San Diego Waiver") in the Federal Register invoking section 102(c)'s waiver of the application of NEPA, the ESA, the Coastal Zone Management Act ("CZMA") and more than thirty additional laws not at issue in this lawsuit to "various border infrastructure projects" in the "Project Area," which is defined as "an approximately fifteen mile segment of the border within the San Diego Sector that starts at the Pacific Ocean and extends eastward," starting at "the Pacific Ocean and extending to approximately one mile east of Border Monument 251." (Dkt. No. 30-6, Cayaban Decl., Ex. 11,
Two projects are specified in the August 2 Waiver Determination. (
On September 12, 2017, former DHS Acting Secretary Elaine Duke, issued a Determination Pursuant to Section 102 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, as Amended ("September 12 Waiver Determination" or "Calexico Waiver") in the Federal Register also invoking section 102(c)'s waiver authority as to compliance with NEPA, the ESA and numerous other statutes not at issue in this lawsuit to the Project Area in the El Centro Sector. (Dkt. No. 30-6, Cayaban Decl., Ex. 12,
*1107The Determination seeks to build a replacement fence in the El Centro Sector "along an approximately three mile segment of the border that starts at the Calexico West Land Port of Entry and extends westward." (Id. )
Contracts for the prototype project were awarded on August 31 and September 7, 2017. (Dkt. No. 39-1, Cal. Ps' Response to Ds' SSUF, No. 10.) Construction for the prototypes began on September 26, 2017 and was completed on October 26, 2017. (Dkt. No. 49-4, Enriquez Decl. ¶ 11.) Construction of the Calexico three-mile replacement fence was set to begin on February 15, 2018 while the San Diego Sector replacement fence is scheduled for construction in August 2018. (Id. ¶¶ 10, 36.)
C. Procedural History
On September 6, 2017, Plaintiff Center for Biological Diversity ("Center Plaintiff") filed its operative second amended complaint ("SAC") for declaratory and injunctive relief against U.S. Department of Homeland Security ("DHS"); U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP"); and Elaine Duke, Acting Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security challenging the August 2 Waiver Determination under section 102 of IIRIRA concerning the two border wall construction projects located in the San Diego Sector.
On November 21, 2017, Plaintiffs Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club and Animal Legal Defense Fund ("Coalition Plaintiffs") filed their operative first amended complaint ("FAC") against DHS; Elaine Duke, Acting Secretary of DHS; and United States of America for declaratory and injunctive relief for violations of section 102 and constitutional claims concerning the two border wall construction projects located in the San Diego and El Centro Sectors based on the two Waiver Determinations.
On September 20, 2017, People of the State of California ("California") and the California Coastal Commission (collectively "California Plaintiffs") filed a complaint against United States of America; DHS; Acting Secretary of DHS Elaine Duke; CBP; and Acting Commissioner of CBP Kevin K. McAleenan. (Dkt. No. 17cv1911, Dkt. No. 1.) The complaint alleges declaratory and injunctive relief based on numerous violations of the U.S. Constitution, and statutes relating to the border wall construction projects in the San Diego and El Centro Sectors based on the two Waiver Determinations.
*1108In summary, all Plaintiffs
-Violation of Article I, Section 1-the Non-Delegation Doctrine/Separation of Powers (by all Plaintiffs)
-Violation of Article II, Section 3-Take Care Clause (by Center Plaintiff)
-Violation of Article I, Sections 2 & 3 (by California Plaintiffs)
-Violation of Article I, Section 7-Presentment Clause (by all Plaintiffs)
-Violation of Due Process, Article III, and First Amendment right to petition the government (by Coalition Plaintiffs and California Plaintiffs)
-Violation of the Tenth Amendment-Concurrent State and Federal Jurisdiction (by Coalition Plaintiffs)
-Violation of the Tenth Amendment (by California Plaintiffs)
On October 24, 2017, the Court granted the parties' joint motion to consolidate the three cases and the parties' agreed upon briefing schedule on their cross-motions for summary judgment. (Dkt. Nos. 21, 22.)
Prior to consolidation, on October 6, 2017, Defendants filed a motion to dismiss Center Plaintiff's second amended complaint which was converted to a motion for summary judgment in the Court's consolidation order. (Dkt. Nos. 18, 22.) On November 22, 2017, Center Plaintiff filed a cross-motion for summary judgment
On November 22, 2017, Coalition Plaintiffs and the California Plaintiffs filed their motions for summary judgment. (Dkt. Nos. 29, 30.) On December 20, 2017, all Defendants filed an omnibus cross-motion for summary judgment and opposition to Coalition and California Plaintiffs' motions for summary judgment. (Dkt. No. 35.)
On January 5, 2018, the Coalition Plaintiffs and California Plaintiffs separately filed their oppositions to Defendants' cross-motion for summary judgment and replies to their motions. (Dkt. Nos. 38, 39.) On January 23, 2018, Defendants filed *1109their reply to their cross-motion for summary judgment. (Dkt. No. 42.)
II. ANALYSIS
A. Legal Standard on Motion for Summary Judgment
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 empowers the Court to enter summary judgment on factually unsupported claims or defenses, and thereby "secure the just, speedy and inexpensive determination of every action." Celotex Corp. v. Catrett,
B. Article III Standing as to the State of California
The State of California argues it has Article III standing because it will suffer injury to its real property that it owns and manages adjacent to the border wall projects.
Article III, Section 2 of the United States Constitution requires that a plaintiff have standing to bring a claim. See Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife,
States have a "procedural right" and "quasi-sovereign interests" in protecting its natural resources, such as air quality. Massachusetts v. EPA,
Here, the parties dispute whether California has demonstrated an injury in fact, and whether the injury in fact is traceable to the Waiver Determinations. As held by the U.S. Supreme Court, California has a procedural right and quasi-sovereign right in the environmental protections afforded by NEPA and the APA. See
Moreover, California argues it has a legally protected sovereign interest in creating and enforcing its own laws. The Waiver Determinations will preclude the enforcement of California's laws which will affect its sovereign interests. Defendants object because Plaintiffs merely string cite to eight state code or regulations without explaining how these provisions apply to the projects at issue. But, as noted by Plaintiff, the Waiver Determinations do not identify which California law or regulation Defendants are waiving and as an example it provides some provisions where the waiver would bar California's enforcement of its laws as to DHS, its contractors, or to the State's permitting authority or other legal actions.
It is not disputed that the Waiver Determinations waive all legal requirements and include related state laws. (See Dkt. No. 30-6, Cayaban Decl., Ex. 11,
C. Whether the Court has Jurisdiction Over Plaintiffs' Non-Constitutional Claims based on Ultra Vires Acts of the Secretary of the DHS
Defendants contend that the Court lacks jurisdiction to consider Plaintiffs' non-constitutional claims, including whether the Secretaries' actions concerning the two Waiver Determinations are ultra vires. They explain that section 102 explicitly expresses Congress' intent to bar the district court from exercising jurisdiction over any claims arising from the Secretary of DHS's waiver determination except for a constitutional violation. Plaintiffs argue that the Court may consider whether the Waivers exercised by the Secretaries constitute ultra vires acts as they exceed the authority granted to the Secretaries under section 102; therefore, they contend section 102(c)(2)'s judicial review bar on non-constitutional claims does not apply. For *1111the reasons stated below, the Court finds that it may consider whether the Secretaries have violated any clear and mandatory statutory obligations set forth in section 102. Finding that there are no such violations, the Court upholds the jurisdictional bar and concludes that it does not have the jurisdiction to hear any claims other than constitutional claims.
Section 102(c)(2)(A) provides that the "district courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear all causes or claims arising from any action undertaken, or any decision made, by the Secretary of Homeland Security pursuant to paragraph (1) [the waiver provision]. A cause of action or claim may only be brought alleging a violation of the Constitution of the United States. The court shall not have jurisdiction to hear any claim not specified in this subparagraph."
As a starting point, there is a "strong presumption that Congress intends judicial review of administrative action." Bowen v. Michigan Acad. of Family Physicians,
In this case, the Center Plaintiff does not dispute that the presumption favoring judicial review has been overcome by the express language of section 102(c)(1) and does not challenge Defendants' argument on this issue. Instead, all Plaintiffs argue that the August 2, 2017 and September 12, 2017 Waiver Determinations constitute ultra vires acts of the Secretary that do not fall under section 102 because the Waivers are not authorized by sections 102(a) or (b) and were not decisions made "pursuant to" section 102(c)(1). Therefore, according to Plaintiffs, section 102(c)(2) does not apply, and the Waiver Determinations are subject to review by the Court. Defendants respond that Plaintiffs cannot bypass the jurisdictional bar by framing their claims as ultra vires challenges when judicial review is expressly prohibited. They argue that the Court should consider the plain meaning of section 102(c)(2) and that should be the end of the matter.
Here, Congress expressly barred the district court's review of non-constitutional claims under section 102(c)(2), and this provision rebuts the strong presumption favoring judicial review of administrative actions. However, the United States Supreme Court has identified a narrow exception to an express statutory bar on judicial review when there is a claim that an agency acted beyond its statutory authority. See Leedom v. Kyne,
*1112In Kyne, the Supreme Court held that a district court had jurisdiction to review a non-final agency order "made in excess of its delegated powers and contrary to a specific prohibition in the [National Labor Relations Act]." Kyne,
MCorp Fin., Inc., relied on by Defendants, involved an express bar on judicial review, and the Court found the Fifth Circuit erred when it held that it had jurisdiction to consider the merits of MCorp's challenge to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("Board") and held that the Financial Institutional Supervisory Act's ("FISA") preclusion provision barred judicial review of pending Board administrative actions. MCorp Fin., Inc.,
In its analysis, the Court distinguished its ruling from Kyne noting two differences. First, the Court noted that "central" to its decision in Kyne was "the fact that the Board's interpretation of the Act would wholly deprive the union of a meaningful and adequate means of vindicating its statutory right." Id. at 43,
Next, in Dart, relied on by Plaintiffs, the D.C. Circuit held that the Secretary of Commerce's reversal of the administrative law judge's decision exceeded his authority under the Export Administration Act ("EAA"). Dart,
The Dart court recognized that "[w]hen an executive acts ultra vires , courts are normally available to reestablish the limits on his authority."
The exception to the statutory bar on judicial review is an "extremely narrow one" and "extraordinary." Nat'l Air Traffic Controllers Ass'n AFL-CIO v. Fed. Serv. Impasses Panel,
In sum, in order for the Kyne exception to apply, a plaintiff must satisfy the following two factors: 1) that the agency acted "in excess of its delegated powers" contrary to "clear and mandatory statutory language" and 2) "the party seeking review must be 'wholly deprive[d]
*1114... of a meaningful and adequate means of vindicating its statutory rights." Pac. Mar. Ass'n v. NLRB,
Courts have cautioned that "review of an 'agency action allegedly in excess of authority must not simply involve a dispute over statutory interpretation.' " Herman,
Contrary to Defendants' argument that the Court cannot even consider whether the two Waivers were ultra vires acts, courts have consistently conducted judicial review of facial, ultra vires claims despite a statutory bar on judicial review.
Even the cases relied upon by Defendants fail to support their position. In Staacke, the Ninth Circuit stated that on a claim that the defendant violated a clear statutory mandate or prohibition, the court may consider the claim despite a judicial bar but its "task is limited to determining whether the statute in question contains a clear command that the Secretary has transgressed." Staacke,
The Court concludes that it may conduct judicial review of facial, ultra vires claims despite a statutory bar on judicial review. Accordingly, the Court next considers whether the Secretaries acted in excess of their delegated powers.
D. Whether the Waiver Determinations Are Ultra Vires Acts under Section 102(c)'s Waiver Authority
Defendants contend that the DHS Secretaries' actions are ultra vires only if they are in excess of delegated powers that are contrary to "clear and mandatory" statutory language as required in Kyne.
Here, in order for the narrow exception of Kyne to apply, Plaintiffs must show that Secretaries Kelly and Duke acted in excess of their delegated powers by showing that the issuance of the two Waiver Determinations was in contravention of "clear and mandatory" language contained in section 102. See Pac. Mar. Ass'n,
1. Violation of a "Clear and Mandatory" Statutory Provision
The Court now turns to whether Plaintiffs have established that the Secretaries facially violated a specific provision of section 102 which was "clear and mandatory."
a. Whether Section 102(c) Waiver Provision Applies Only to Projects Identified in Section 102(b)
Plaintiffs argue that that the statutory authority to waive laws under section 102(c) does not apply to the two border wall projects because they were not specifically mandated by Congress under section 102(b). Further, when construed as a whole, the two projects fall outside the limits of the waiver authority because Congress did not intend section 102(c) to apply to projects beyond those specifically mandated in section 102(b). Defendants disagree arguing that the waiver provision applies to section 102 as a whole, and is not limited to only Congress' priorities identified in section 102(b). Upon review of the statute and legislative history, both interpretations are plausible. As such, there is no violation of "clear and mandatory" language with respect to the application of the waiver.
Statutory construction always begins with the "language of the statute itself" or "plain meaning of the statute" and if unambiguous, that meaning controls. Brock v. Writers Guild of America, West, Inc.,
Section 102(c) states,
(1) In general.-Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall have the authority to waive all legal requirements such Secretary, in such Secretary's sole discretion, determines necessary to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads under this section . Any such decision by the Secretary shall be effective upon being published in the Federal Register.
Defendants argue that the words "under this section" refer to section 102 as a whole and are not limited to subsection 102(b). This includes actions under any part of section 102 that meet section 102(c)(1)'s criteria. In support, they cite to the Guide to Legislative Drafting which explains that section 102(a) is a "subsection"; section 102(b)(1) is a "paragraph" and section 102(b)(1)(A) is a "sub-paragraph." See House Office of the Legislative Counsel, Guide to Legislative Drafting. Therefore, "this section" in section 102(c)(1) cannot be read to refer exclusively to 102(b) but applies to the entirety of section 102.
Plaintiffs respond that the waiver authority must be interpreted as limited to specific border barriers specified in section 102(b) because Defendants' reliance on the standardized format interpretation of "this section" is flawed. They argue that Defendants' position produces an absurd result *1117in interpreting sections 102(b)(2)-(4). These sections address the procedures for obtaining easements and appropriations, and refer to and apply only to "this subsection" which is section 102(b). According to Defendants' interpretation, the procedures and directives regarding easements and appropriations would not apply to section 102(a) border projects and without those provisions, a border barrier could not be built. Moreover, the terms "section" and "subsection" are used inconsistently as section 102(b)(1)(A) uses the phrase "[i]n carrying out subsection (a)" while section 102(b)(1)(B) & (C) uses the phrase "[i]n carrying out this section" under section 102(b).
Defendants reply that "when Congress identifies certain specific applications of a general grant of authority, those specific requirements cannot generally be understood to prohibit all other applications of the general authority." (Dkt. No. 18-1 at 30.
Certainly, section 102 is not a model of legislative precision. Given the inconsistencies in the use of "this section", the Court looks to the legislative history for further guidance. The parties rely on the legislative history that supports their respective positions. Defendants cite to Conference Report 109-72 to support their interpretation because the Report broadly states it "provides for construction and strengthening of barriers along U.S. land borders." (Dkt. No. 18-2, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 2, H.R. Rep. 109-72 at p. 170 (May 3, 2005). However, the Conference Report also references section 102(b) as to the waiver's application to the 14 miles of barriers and roads, mandated by 1996 IIRIRA along the border near San Diego that had been halted due to environmental challenges.
Defendants argue that the breadth of section 102(c) is noted by comments made by representatives who were opposed to the 2005 REAL ID Act which were not contradicted by its sponsors. (See Dkt. No. 18-2, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 6, 151 Cong. Rec. H459 (Feb. 9, 2005) (statement of Cong. Jackson-Lee) ("[The waiver provision is] so broad that it would not just apply to the San Diego border fence that is the underlying reason for this provision. It would apply any other barrier or fence that may come about in the future.");
Defendants also point to a comment made by a member of Congress in 1996 addressing concern that section 102(c) extended beyond San Diego. (See Dkt. No. 18-2, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 4, 142 Cong. Rec. H11076 (Sept. 25, 1996), (statement of Rep. Saxton) ("[Section 102(c) ] is intended to address an issue that has to do with the California-Texas-Mexico border; however, the way this section is written, the exemption applies to the entire border of the United States, not just the California-Mexico border near San Diego.").
On the other hand, Plaintiffs rely on the legislative history which shows the sponsor's and supporters' intent to limit the expanded waiver authority to the San Diego fencing under section 102(b). The bill's author, Representative Sensenbrenner, described the amendment as "the REAL ID Act will waive Federal laws to the extent necessary to complete gaps in the San Diego border security fence, which is still stymied 8 years after congressional authorization. Neither the public safety nor the environment are benefitting from the current stalemate." (Dkt. No. 18-2, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 6, 151 Cong. Rec. H454 (Feb. 9, 2005).) Supporters of the bill also made statements limiting the amendment to the fence in San Diego. (Id., 151 Cong. Rec. H453-471 (Feb. 9, 2005) (Statement of Rep. Hoekstra) ("H.R. 418 provides the Secretary of Homeland Security with authority to waive environmental laws, so that the border fence running 14 miles east from the Pacific Ocean at San Diego may finally be completed.").)
"The fears and doubts of the opposition are no authoritative guide to the construction of legislation. It is the sponsors that we look to when the meaning of the statutory words is in doubt." NLRB v. Fruit Packers,
Each side offers additional plausible interpretations to support their position. For example, since 2005, the waiver provision has been invoked five times in order to comply with the specific mandates of the various amendments to section 102(b). See
Plaintiffs also cite to Judge Burns's decision in Sierra Club v. Ashcroft, Case No. 04cv272-LAB(JMA),
The parties' varying plausible interpretations concerning the scope of section 102(c) demonstrate the lack of a clear statutory mandate. See Staacke,
b. Whether Key Statutory Terms Preclude the Waiver Determinations
i. "additional barriers and roads"
Section 102(a) grants the Secretary the authority "to install additional physical barriers and roads."
*1120In response, the government argues Plaintiffs' narrow interpretation of "additional" is not supported by the statutory language nor the legislative history. According to Defendants, the installation of "lighting, cameras and sensors",
The legislative history and the prior projects invoking section 102(c) for the replacement of border fences support the position that building "additional barriers" has a broad meaning and can include replacement of fencing. To the extent that this interpretation is plausible, Plaintiffs have not demonstrated the replacement fence clearly falls outside the scope of "additional physical barriers" to show that the Secretary violated a "clear and mandatory" statutory provision. See, e.g., Staacke,
ii. "areas of high illegal entry"
Plaintiffs argue that the Waiver Determinations' conclusions that the San Diego and El Centro sectors are "areas of high illegal entry," are improperly based on sector-wide data which are not good indications of whether the Project Areas are areas of high illegal entry. Moreover, sector wide data are not reliable because the amount of drugs seized in a sector usually occur far from the Mexican border at highway checkpoints, during vehicle searches at the points of entry or when border patrol agents discover a drug-smuggling boat or drone. Sector wide data do not demonstrate that the project areas themselves are areas of high illegal entry and the data are less probative when the facts show that the San Diego Project Area has fewer illegal border crossings than the San Diego Sector as a whole. However, even if the Court were to consider sector-wide data, Plaintiffs argue DHS's apprehension records show that these two sectors are no longer areas of high illegal entry.
Defendants argue that Congress has set no specific threshold for "high illegal entry" but Congress has expressly stated that one of the statute's purposes is "to achieve and maintain operational control *1121over the international border."
The August 2, 2017 Waiver Determination states that the San Diego Sector is one of the busiest and in 2016, the CBP apprehended over 31,000 illegal aliens and seized about 9,167 pounds of marijuana and about 1,317 pounds of cocaine in the San Diego Sector. (Dkt. No. 30-6, Cayaban Decl., Ex. 11,
Congress did not define "area of high illegal entry" so as to provide "clear and mandatory" metrics. Similarly, the government's use of sector wide data to support its "area of high illegal entry" determination is not a clear violation of the statute. See Key Med. Supply, Inc. v. Burwell,
The parties present certain facts and data in varying forms, based on geographic locations or years, to support their respective positions. Plaintiffs focus on the dramatic improvement over the years on the number of apprehensions. Again, the Court finds that both sides offer conflicting plausible interpretations of section 102(a). As a result, the Secretary's decision to adopt one interpretation over the other cannot constitute an ultra vires act.
iii. "deter illegal crossings"
Coalition Plaintiffs contend that the border wall prototype project, to evaluate various design features for potential inclusion in a future border wall, is outside the scope of section 102 because it has no deterrent effect since there are gaps between each of the eight prototypes built. They also contend that DHS has already spent more than $2 billion to install 705 miles of fencing along the border and the two projects are not "necessary ... to deter illegal crossings." (Dkt. No. 29-1 at 17.) The government argues that Coalition Plaintiffs cannot second-guess the Secretary's conclusion that the projects "will further Border Patrol's ability to deter and prevent illegal crossings." (Dkt. No. 35-1 at 66.)
*1122Section 102(a) provides that the Secretary must take actions "necessary to install additional physical barriers and roads" ... "to deter illegal crossings."
Once again, the issue of what constitutes "deter[ing] illegal crossings" comes down to statutory interpretation. The Secretary is granted broad discretion in determining how to "achieve and maintain operational control" of the border. Plaintiffs have not identified "clear and mandatory" statutory language that the Secretary violated to establish the claimed ultra vires conduct.
iv. "most practical and effective"
California Plaintiffs argue that Defendants exceeded their authority by constructing fencing where the barriers would not be "most practical or effective." See
Defendants respond that the Secretary's decision to assess where fencing "would be most practical and effective",
The Secretary of DHS has discretion to determine "where fencing would be the most practical and effective" and California Plaintiffs' facts do not demonstrate that the Secretary contravened a "clear and mandatory" provision in the statute.
v. "consultation"
Coalition Plaintiffs argue that the waiver is unavailable unless the Secretary has consulted with the parties identified in section 102(b)(1)(C) which she has not done. Defendants argue that the waiver provision does not expressly or implicitly depend on the completion of the consultation requirement. Nonetheless, Defendants assert that they have and are still in the process of complying with the consultation provision.
Based on the parties' briefing and arguments at the hearing, it did not appear that the Secretary had complied with the consultation provision as to the border wall prototype project and the evidence provided did not support compliance with the consultation provision regarding the two replacement fences. Therefore, at the hearing, the Court directed the parties to file supplemental briefs on the consultation issue and how the lack of consultation affects *1123ultra vires and the constitutional claims, if at all.
The consultation provision states, "[i]n carrying out this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consult with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, States, local governments, Indian tribes, and property owners in the United States to minimize the impact on the environment, culture, commerce, and quality of life for the communities and residents located near the sites at which such fencing is to be constructed."
According to Real Estate and Environmental Branch Chief for the Border Patrol and Air and Marine Program Management Office ("BPAM")
The Calexico fence replacement project is located primarily on federal land that is managed by CBP or GSA and used primarily for border enforcement or port operations. (Id. ¶ 37.) The project also includes a Media and First Amendment area on land owned by the City of Calexico. (Id. )
Prior to the Calexico Waiver Determination, on July 13, 2017, CBP met with DOI representatives including USFWS and BLM to provide information to them, (id. ¶ 38), and consulted with the California State Historic Preservation Officer ("CASHPO") and Native American Tribes to make sure the geo-technical testing did not impact historic or cultural resources. (Id. ¶ 39.)
After the Waiver Determination, CBP conducted field surveys to identify natural and biological resources which were summarized in a Biological Survey Report dated January 2018, (Dkt. No. 49-9, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 31.E, Enriquez Decl., Ex. E), conducted field surveys of cultural and historical resources which are summarized in a Cultural Resources Survey dated January 5, 2018, (Dkt. No. 49-10, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 31.F, Enriquez Decl., Ex. F), and conducted surveys to document and delineate potential wetlands and waters in the project area which are summarized in a Wetland Delineation Report dated January 2018. (Dkt. No. 49-11, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 31.G, Enriquez Decl., Ex. G.) After the surveys were completed, CBP conducted additional outreach and sent consultation letters, on January 18 and 19, 2018, to USFWS, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, CASHPO, two Native American tribes, the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board ("CRBRWQCB"), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Division ("USACE"), the Imperial Irrigation District ("IID"), Imperial County Air Pollution Control District, and the City of Calexico. (Dkt. No. 49-4, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 31, Enriquez Decl. ¶ 41; Dkt. No. 49-12, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 31.H-Q, Enriquez Decl., Exs. H-Q.) To date, CBP received responses from three entities, IID, CRBRWQCB, and USACE. (Dkt. No. 49-13, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 31.R-T, Enriquez Decl., Exs. R-T.) The CBP concluded that the USDA and private property owners were not stakeholders in the Calexico replacement fence project. (Id. ) Based on this information, CBP prepared the Calexico MFR. (Dkt. No. 49-8, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 31.D, Enriquez Decl., Ex. D.)
The San Diego fence replacement project will occur on federal land. (Dkt. No. 49-4, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 31, Enriquez Decl. ¶ 26.) On July 13, 2017, prior to the Waiver, CBP conducted an on-site meeting with DOI, USFWS and BLM officials to discuss the project, and USFWS provided CPB with data and information concerning vernal pools and areas occupied by burrowing owls and the possible presence of habitat for the quino checkerspot butterfly and the California gnatcatcher. (Id. ¶ 27.)
CBP has conducted resource surveys, including biological, cultural and wetlands within the project area and is currently preparing these reports. (Id. ¶ 28.) Based on these surveys, CBP has made adjustments to the San Diego fence replacement project. (Id. ¶ 29.) For example, CBP identified two historic sites that will be avoided during construction and is planning on *1125plant and topsoil salvage and making arrangements to have full time environmental and historic/cultural monitors on-site during construction. (Id. ) Prior to the start of construction, CBP will send out letters to stakeholders including Federal, State, and local agencies and Native Americans in the Spring of 2018 to solicit more information. (Id. ¶ 30.) Once that is completed, it will prepare an Environmental Stewardship Plan ("ESP") for public review which will include its assessment of potential impacts, BMP's, and if necessary, mitigation or conservation measures. (Id. ) Because of the project's location, CBP determined that the USDA and private property owners "are not likely to be stakeholders for this project." (Id. ¶ 31.)
Consistent with Defendants' prior argument that "carrying out this section" applies to section 102 as a whole, the Court concludes that the consultation provision applies to any border construction project under section 102.
As to the prototype project, it appears that the consultation requirement was met. Prior to the Waiver Determinations, CBP met with representatives of the DOI, including USFWS and BLM, as well as GSA, as these are agencies that would be affected by the project. (Dkt. No. 49-4, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 31, Enriquez Decl. ¶¶ 16, 17.) They also met with one landowner but it is not clear when that occurred; however, CBP responded by installing temporary fencing due to the landowner's concern. (Id. ¶ 15.) Defendants did not believe that any other agencies would be affected by the prototype project. (Id. )
Next, as to the Calexico replacement fence which may have begun construction on February 15, 2018, the CBP met with representatives of DOI, including USFWS and BLM, as well as the CASHPO and Native American tribes before the Waiver Determination. (Id. ¶¶ 38, 39.) But it did not consult with the City of Calexico prior to the Waiver Determination. Instead, it sent a consultation letter on January 19, 2018 with a requested response date by February 2, 2018. (Dkt. No. 49-12, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 31.O, Enriquez Decl., Ex. O at 15.) It also sent consultation letters to nine additional identified stakeholders. (Id., Exs. H-Q.) To date, only three entities responded with one entity seeking additional time. (Id., Exs. R-T.) While the consultation letters were sent less than a month before construction is to begin, it is not clear that the consultation provision was violated.
As to the San Diego replacement project, so far, CBP had a meeting with representatives of DOI, USFWS and BLM, prior to the Waiver Determination and subsequently conducted surveys but has not yet consulted with other stakeholders.
Plaintiffs argue that the consultation should occur prior to any waiver determinations as that information is critical in determining whether to waive certain laws. In contrast, Defendants argue the consultation provision does not expressly specify the subject matter for consultation, when the consultation should happen, or the degree of consultation required. Its purpose is to minimize the impact of construction once a project has been selected. They also assert Congress intended the consultation provision to be enforced through its appropriations power but then note that for the appropriations for the projects at issue, Pub. L. No. 115-31,
Plaintiffs' argument that the consultation should occur prior to any waiver determinations so that the Secretary is fully informed when the determination is made is logical. In addition, it makes sense that *1126consultation should occur before contracts are drafted and executed so that the information can have a practical influence on the decision making process and to permit environmental and mitigation measures to be incorporated into the contract. The question is whether such timing is mandatory. Section 102 does not provide any specific limitation or guidance concerning when or how consultation is to occur except expressly stating who shall be consulted.
Consultation on the Calexico replacement wall is on-going and responses may be forthcoming despite the fact that construction on the project may have already begun. In the Court's opinion, the belated contact with stakeholders reduces the practical benefit of the consultation process. But given the lack of a "clear and mandatory" mandate regarding the timing of consultation, the Court cannot conclude that the Secretaries acted in excess of their delegated powers by approving the waivers or executing construction contracts prior to completing the consultation process.
vi. "necessary to ensure expeditious construction"
Section 102(c) provides that the Secretary of the DHS "shall have the authority to waive all legal requirements" that the Secretary, in his or her "sole discretion" determines "necessary to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads under this section."
Coalition Plaintiffs argue that section 102(c)'s waiver is subject to the Secretary's determination that it is "necessary to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads under this section",
Here, the words used by Plaintiffs in their argument such as "logical interpretation" "intended" and "[i[t is far more reasonable to limit the 102(c) waiver authority to those barriers that have been specifically mandated by Congress under § 102(b) than to adopt the government's boundless interpretation", (Dkt. No. 28-1 at 39), demonstrate that a determination that a waiver is "necessary to ensure expeditious construction of barriers and roads" is one of statutory interpretation. The Court cannot conclude that the Waiver Determinations are in contravention of clear and mandatory language in section 102(c).See Staacke,
c. Whether Section 102(c)'s Waiver Authority has Expired
Center Plaintiff argues that there is no evidence in the text or the legislative *1127history that Congress intended the waiver authority to exist in perpetuity or even that Congress intended the waiver authority to be extended beyond the initial San Diego fence. They argue that expeditious construction refers solely to section 102(b) projects as there are time constraints limiting DHS's authority to determine "other mileage" to expire on December 31, 2008. California Plaintiffs similarly argue that the 2008 amendment imposed deadlines for the expedited construction of fencing in priority areas. In 2008, former Secretary of DHS Chertoff identified more than 370 miles of priority areas and by April 2013, DHS reported it had completed all but a one-mile stretch of these projects which involved 705 miles of fencing. (Dkt. No. 30-4, Cayaban Decl, Ex. 5;
Defendants contend that Plaintiffs' argument that the December 31, 2008 deadline in section 102(b)(1)(B) applies generally to section 102(c) or section 102 as a whole is implausible. Nothing in the statute demonstrates that Congress intended the waiver authority to sunset and that expeditious construction is limited to section 102(b). When Congress amended section 102(b) in December 2007, it mandated that about half of the "not less than 700 miles" be completed within a year, by December 31, 2008. Because Congress did not provide a deadline for the remaining miles, they argue that there is no expiration date on building additional fencing. Moreover, they assert that the section 102(c) waivers would be applicable to the remaining miles to be built.
In 2008, Congress amended section 102(b) requiring DHS to construct reinforced fencing "along not less than 700 miles of the southwest border where fencing would be most practical and effect."
In United States v. Arizona, No. CV 10-1413-PHX-SRB,
This argument is similar to Plaintiffs' earlier argument that section 102(c)'s waiver provision applies only to projects identified in section 102(b) which was previously rejected by the Court. The parties' varying plausible interpretations concerning the scope of section 102(c) demonstrate that the statutory language is not clear and unambiguous and the parties' argument is essentially a dispute regarding statutory interpretation. As such, Plaintiffs have not demonstrated that the Secretaries violated a clear and mandatory statutory provision.
d. Whether Section 102 Requires that the Waiver Determinations Include Findings
California Plaintiffs assert that the Waivers are invalid because the Secretaries failed to make the requisite findings to demonstrate the requirements of section 102 and only used boiler plate language copied from section 102 without providing reasons behind each Waiver Determination. (Dkt. No. 30-2 at 34-35.) Defendants respond that nothing in section 102(c) requires that the Secretaries explain the factual *1128basis of their Waiver Determinations in the Federal Register.
California Plaintiffs cite to Dickson v. Sec'y of Defense,
Section 102 only requires that the Secretary's decision be "published in the Federal Register."
In view of the foregoing, the Plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate that the waivers violated a clear and mandatory provision of section 102. Consequently, the Court lacks jurisdiction to hear any non-constitutional claim.
2. Whether Barring Review Deprives Plaintiffs of a Meaningful and Adequate Means of Violating Their Statutory Rights
The second step in an ultra vires analysis requires that Plaintiffs demonstrate that barring review would deprive them of a "meaningful and adequate means of vindicating" their statutory rights. See MCorp.,
Meanwhile, no Plaintiff has conducted a meaningful analysis on this prong. Instead, California Plaintiffs generally assert that the absence of district court jurisdiction will deprive them of adequate means to vindicate their statutory rights. (Dkt. No. 30-2 at 24.) Assuming for argument's sake that Plaintiffs satisfied the second prong, they have failed to establish the first prong. That is, the Court concludes that Plaintiffs have not established a plain violation of an unambiguous and mandatory provision of section 102, and, therefore, the Court lacks jurisdiction to hear non-constitutional claims under section 102(c)(2)(A).
E. Whether the Secretaries' Decisions under Sections 102(a) & (b) are Subject to APA Review
In order to invoke judicial review under the APA, Coalition Plaintiffs present an alternative argument starting with a strong presumption of judicial review of agency action.
Specifically, Coalition Plaintiffs contend that the language "notwithstanding any other provision of law" which is contained in section 102(c)(1) "demonstrates an intent to limit the waiver authority solely to laws other than the one in which the waiver is contained, meaning the requirements of the section itself are not waivable." (Dkt. No. 29-1 at 13.) Accordingly, the requirement of "high illegal entry" and the "consultation" requirements of sections 102(a) and (b) must be satisfied before the Secretary can invoke section 102(c)'s waiver authority.
Defendants counter that the section 102(c) waiver determination arises from "any action undertaken" pursuant to section 102(c)(1) and cannot be separated from sections 102(a) or (b). They contend that Plaintiffs improperly seek to challenge findings that are integral to the waiver determination itself. Even if the phrase "pursuant to paragraph (1)" in section 102(c)(2)(A), refers to the waiver determination in isolation, the terms "any action undertaken ... pursuant to paragraph (1)" and "all clauses or claims arising from" such actions or decision, broadens the judicial review provision to include more than just the waiver determination, itself. Next, they contend that Plaintiffs' reading that provides sections 102(a) and (b) are subject to APA review would frustrate Congress' purpose in enacting the jurisdictional limitation and waiver provisions which were intended to prevent litigation delays since any invocation of the waiver would be subject to APA review to determine whether the waiver was justified in the first place.
In reply, Coalition Plaintiffs argue that the Secretaries' decisions under section 102(c)(1) to waive any laws as "necessary to ensure expeditious construction" do not address whether there is authority to construct the border projects themselves. The authority to construct the border projects are in sections 102(a) and (b). They also argue that these decisions are final agency decisions as they mark the "consummation" of the agency's decisionmaking and "alter[ ] the legal regime to which the action agency is subject". (Dkt. No. 38 at 13.) "[S]ince subsections 102(a) and (b) are final agency actions and outside the scope of subparagraph 102(c)(2)(A), the Court may review these actions pursuant to
Under the APA, "[a] person suffering a legal wrong because of agency action, or adversely affected or aggrieved by agency action within the meaning of the relevant statute, is entitled to judicial review thereof."
Section 102(c)(2)(A) provides that
The district courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear all causes or claims arising from any action undertaken, or any decision made, by the Secretary of Homeland Security pursuant to paragraph (1). A cause of action or claim may only be brought *1130alleging a violation of the Constitution of the United States. The court shall not have jurisdiction to hear any claim not specified in this subparagraph.
The judicial review provision under section 102(c)(2)(A) states that the district courts have exclusive jurisdiction to "hear all causes or claims arising from any action undertaken" ... "pursuant to paragraph (1)." While paragraph (1) refers to the Secretary's waiver authority, the language "all causes or claims arising from any action undertaken" is broad enough to encompass the determination under section 102(a) that the two projects are "necessary" to "deter illegal crossings in areas of high illegal entry into the United States." See
Based on the statutory language, the Court declines to adopt Coalition Plaintiffs' argument that APA review is available for decisions made solely under sections 102(a) and (b). The judicial review bar of non-constitutional challenges applies to any action taken to invoke the section 102(c) waiver authority which includes actions under sections 102(a) and (b).
In conclusion, the Court GRANTS Defendants' motions for summary judgment on non-constitutional claims alleging violations of NEPA, the ESA, the CZMA and the APA, and DENIES Plaintiffs' motions for summary judgment on these claims. Next, the Court considers Plaintiffs' constitutional challenges which are subject to review by this Court. See
F. Constitutional Violations
1. Article I, Section 1-Non-Delegation Doctrine & Separation of Powers
All Plaintiffs allege a violation of the non-delegation doctrine arguing that section 102 allows the DHS Secretary to pick and choose among enacted laws and determine, with unfettered discretion, which ones shall be waived without specifically *1131stating which laws will be waived or why. In essence, Plaintiffs contend, section 102(c) has granted the Executive Branch a blanket waiver which is a violation of the non-delegation doctrine and separation of powers.
"The nondelegation doctrine is rooted in the principle of separation of powers that underlies our tripartite system of Government." Mistretta v. United States,
As a result of this broad constitutional standard, the Supreme Court has upheld all Congressional delegations of power since 1935.
The Supreme Court has held that Congress may delegate its authority so long as it provides, by legislative act, "an intelligible principle to which the person or body authorized to [act] is directed to conform."
*1132In addition, while courts have recognized limits on Congress' authority to delegate its legislative power, those limits are less rigid where the entity "itself possesses independent authority over the subject matter." Loving,
Accordingly, there are two inquiries this Court must consider when determining whether section 102(c) is a constitutional delegation of power: (1) whether section 102 meets the three requirements of the intelligible principle standard; and (2) whether the degree of discretion granted to the DHS Secretary in section 102(c) is appropriate considering the Secretary's independent authority over the subject matter. See Mistretta,
a. Prong One: Whether Section 102 Clearly Delineates a "General Policy"
Coalition Plaintiffs claim that section 102 fails to identify a general policy because prior courts identified different general policies. They cite to two recent cases, Sierra Club,
Defendants argue that Congress defined a "general policy" to guide the DHS Secretary on how to exercise its delegated authority, satisfying the first prong of the intelligible principle standard. That policy is install necessary barriers and roads to "deter illegal crossings in areas of high illegal entry into the United States" through, under section 102(c) "expeditious construction of barriers and roads under this section." (Dkt. No. 35-1 at 71.) Defendants further contend that there is no conflict between the statements of general policy by the Sierra Club and the Defenders of Wildlife courts. Rather, one is just more specific than the other.
Under section 102(a), the general policy states the Secretary of DHS shall take actions as necessary to "deter illegal crossings in areas of high illegal entry into the United States."
The first district court to address whether the amended section 102 contains a "general policy" was in this district. In Sierra Club, the court held that "improvement of U.S. border protection is the 'clearly delineated general policy.' " Sierra Club,
*1133While using slightly different language, both courts identified the general policy as border protection. Both courts identified deterrence of illegal crossing as a motivating factor in this policy. And both courts recognized that in articulating this policy, Congress permitted the construction of physical barriers and roads.
Moreover, the District Court for the Western District of Texas noted the general policy of section 102 to be "construction of a border fence" which is consistent with the general policy asserted in Sierra Club and Defenders of Wildlife. Cnty. of El Paso v. Chertoff, No. EP-08-CA-196-FM,
Therefore, the Court finds that Congress clearly delineated the "general policy" of section 102 as deterrence of illegal crossings through construction of additional physical barriers to improve U.S. border protection,
b. Prong Two: Whether Section 102 Clearly Delineates a Public Agency
It is undisputed that IIRIRA satisfies the second prong of the intelligible principle standard because "the Secretary of Homeland Security" is to apply the general policy. See
c. Prong Three: Whether Section 102 Clearly Delineates "the Boundaries of Delegated Authority "
All Plaintiffs challenge section 102(c) on the third factor of the intelligible principle standard, arguing that the boundaries of the delegated authority are not clearly delineated. They distinguish the Waivers from past waivers found to be constitutional. Past waivers focused solely on building new fencing pursuant to the specific mandates of Congress in section 102(b) which limited the DHS Secretary's waiver authority to the initial border construction. However, the Waivers at issue concern projects not previously identified by section 102. Therefore, they argue that the grant of waiver authority does not apply to these new projects.
Defendants argue that Congress provided specific boundaries for its delegated authority, satisfying the third prong of the intelligible principle standard. This authority may only be exercised to "waive all legal requirements [the] Secretary ... determines necessary to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads under this section ." (Dkt. No. 35-1 at 72.) The boundaries, they contend, are both geographic, DHS can only waive laws in connection with construction of a physical barrier at the U.S. border, and temporally necessary, DHS can only waive laws necessary to quickly construct a wall. Contrary to Plaintiffs' demand for specificity, the boundary need not include specific criteria or guidelines.
Here, section 102(c) provides boundaries that limit the Secretary's authority to waive all laws that are "necessary to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads." See Defenders of Wildlife,
While it is true that section 102(c) contains considerably fewer details than other challenged statutes,
Section 102 of IIRIRA is easily distinguishable from the statutes in Panama Refining Co. and A.L.A. Schechter Poultry Corp. The statute at issue in Panama Refining Co."provided literally no guidance for the exercise of discretion," while the statute challenged in A.L.A. Schechter Poultry Corp "conferred authority to regulate the entire economy on the basis of no more precise a standard than stimulating the economy by assuring 'fair competition.' " Whitman,
Here, however, Congress expressly limits the DHS Secretary's discretion to waive laws to those "necessary to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads under this section."
Both Congress and the Executive share responsibilities in protecting the country from terrorists and contraband illegally entering at the borders. Border barriers, roads, and detection equipment help provide a measure of deterrence against illegal entries. With section 102, Congress delegated to its executive counterpart, the responsibility to construct border barriers as needed in areas of high illegal entry to detect and deter illegal entries. In an increasingly complex and changing world, this delegation avoids the need for Congress to pass a new law to authorize the construction of every border project. Similarly, Congress enacted a law which attempts to avoid delays caused by lawsuits challenging the construction of barriers by allowing the Secretary to waive the application and enforcement of federal, state and local laws during the construction of a border barrier as necessary. The Court concludes that Congress has clearly delineated the "boundaries of delegated authority" in terms previously upheld by the Supreme Court, thereby satisfying the third prong of the intelligible principle standard.
d. Whether Congress's Grant of Authority Constitutes "Unfettered Discretion"
Coalition Plaintiffs cite to Zivotofsky to suggest that the DHS secretary does not have exclusive control over foreign affairs, and thus the statutory grant of discretion should be more limited. Zivotofsky v. Kerry, --- U.S. ----,
Congress can confer more discretion to an entity when that entity already has significant, independent authority over the subject matter. See Loving,
As stated in Sierra Club, the Executive Branch has independent and significant constitutional authority in the area of "immigration and border control enforcement and national security." Sierra Club,
Nothing about DHS's authority has changed since prior rulings. The only difference between this case and prior cases is the type of barrier being constructed. This distinction is not relevant under this analysis.
Coalition Plaintiffs' reliance on Zivotofsky is not persuasive. The power contemplated in Zivotofsky was the President's power to recognize foreign nations and governments and the issue was whether the President has exclusive power to recognize nations. Zivotofsky,
Here, the issue is not whether the President has exclusive power over foreign affairs, but whether the DHS Secretary, acting as an agent of the Executive, has significant, independent control over immigration. Therefore, because the DHS Secretary, acting as an agent of the Executive Branch, has significant, independent authority over immigration, Congress is justified in delegating broad authority. The Court concludes that section 102 does not violate the non-delegation doctrine.
California Plaintiffs also present a separate argument that the lack of judicial review under section 102 violates the non-delegation doctrine and essentially imports a fourth requirement to the intelligible principle standard. (Dkt. No. 30-2 at 45.) By limiting review to only constitutional challenges, California Plaintiffs argue, Congress is preventing the judicial branch from reviewing Congress's delegation of authority. California Plaintiffs further contend that judicial review is the only way to ensure that the DHS Secretary adheres to the intelligible principle Congress provided. California cites to three Supreme Court cases in support of this argument.
Defendants argue that Plaintiffs' argument has been expressly rejected by the Ninth Circuit. United States v. Bozarov,
It is true that the Supreme Court has recognized that judicial review provides an important check on the power delegated by Congress. See Touby,
While unlimited judicial review would assure compliance with all legal requirements, it would defeat the purpose of the law to expedite the construction of border barriers and roads in areas where they are needed. In this case, as in Bozarov , section 102 allows judicial review of constitutional claims as well as ultra vires claim which bolsters the conclusion that section 102 does not violate the nondelegation doctrine. Accordingly, the California Plaintiffs' argument concerning violation of the non-delegation doctrine based on lack of judicial review is unsupported by law.
In conclusion, the Court GRANTS Defendants' motions for summary judgment and DENIES Plaintiffs' motions for summary judgment on the Non-Delegation Doctrine and separation of powers claims.
2. Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution -Take Care Clause
Center Plaintiff alleges that the August 2 Waiver Determination violates the Take Care Clause contending that it applies to Executive Officers, including the Secretary of DHS. First, it claims that the DHS exceeded the authority delegated to it by issuing the August 2 Waiver under section 102 even though it was not authorized by section 102(b). (Dkt. No. 28-1 at 42-43.) Second, it asserts that even if section 102(c) waiver provision is not limited to those barriers mandated under section 102(b), the August 2 Waiver Determination does not comply with the direction in section 102(a) that the barriers be built in "areas of high illegal entry." (Id. at 43.) Therefore, Center Plaintiff argues, the August 2 Waiver Determination violated the Executive's duty to faithfully execute the statutory mandate. (Id. ) The Center Plaintiff's SAC alleges that "[a]mong the laws the Take Care Clause mandates be 'faithfully executed' are NEPA and the ESA, as well as the conditions and limitations of IIRIRA section 102 itself." (Dkt. No. 16, SAC ¶ 145.)
Defendants argue that the Take Care Clause only applies to the actions of the President and not the Secretary, that no court has treated the Take Care Clause as a basis for affirmative relief, and that it is an improper attempt by Center Plaintiff to recast its ultra vires challenge under the Take Care Clause.
Article II, Section 3 of the United States Constitution states that the President "shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed." U.S. Const. art. II, § 2, cl. 3.
First, the Court disagrees with Defendants' argument that the Take Care Clause applies only to the President, and not his cabinet members. "The vesting of the executive power in the President was essentially a grant of power to execute the *1138laws. But the President alone and unaided could not execute the laws. He must execute them by the assistance of subordinates." Myers v. United States,
As to whether the August 2 Waiver Determination violates the Take Care clause, Center Plaintiff cites to three cases to support the assertion that the Executive is required to "execute the laws, not make them." First, it cites to a sentence in the conclusion of Medellin v. Texas,
Next, Center Plaintiff cites to Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer,
Finally, in Myers v. United States,
The cases cited by Center Plaintiff do not address the application of the Take Care clause. It merely cite to these cases for the assertion that the President's duty under the Take Care clause is to execute laws, not make them. However, none of the cases cited by Center Plaintiff address an executive head's exercise of his or her discretionary authority to carry out the mandates of Congress. As a result, they provide no guidance as to how the Take Care clause would or should apply in this case. Moreover, given that the challenged steps taken by the Secretary are ones that are plausibly called for by an act of Congress, a Take Care challenge in this case would essentially open the doors to an undisciplined and unguided review process for all decisions made by the Executive Department.
Consequently, Center Plaintiff has not demonstrated that the Take Care clause in this case has been violated. Thus, the Court GRANTS Defendants' motion for summary judgment and DENIES Center Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment on the Take Care Clause claim.
3. Article I, Sections 2 & 3 of the United States Constitution
California Plaintiffs argue that section 102(c) violates Article I, Sections 2 and 3 of the U.S. Constitution by allowing the Secretary to waive numerous criminal laws concerning the border wall projects without providing a specific list of criminal laws that are waived.
Article 1 Section 3 provides,
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office ... but the Party *1140convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
U.S. Const. art. I, § 3, cl. 7. This section concerns impeachment and punishment of conviction and is "an attempt by the framers to anticipate and respond to questions that might arise regarding the procedural right of the accused during the impeachment process." United States v. Claiborne,
California Plaintiffs invoke these two constitutional provisions arguing that Congress cannot grant the Executive Branch sweeping powers to waive federal criminal laws without specifically listing the criminal laws to be waived and that it places the Executive Branch above the law. However, California Plaintiffs provide no legal authority to support their argument that Article I, Sections 2 & 3 supports their proposition. None of their cited cases concern the application of Article I, Sections 2 or 3 of the U.S. Constitution. California Plaintiffs have not demonstrated they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law that section 102 and the Waiver Determinations violate Article I, Sections 2 and 3 of the U.S. Constitution. The Court GRANTS Defendant's motion for summary judgment and DENIES California Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment on this claim.
4. Article I, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution-Presentment Clause
All Plaintiffs assert that the DHS Secretaries' waiver of more than thirty environmental laws through section 102(c) violates Article I, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution. They rely heavily on Clinton v. City of New York,
Defendants argue that the waiver of the environmental laws through section 102(c) does not amount to an amendment or repeal of statute and only select statutes are waived in an effort to build roads and barriers next to portions of the border. Defendants liken the waiver to an "executive grant of immunity or waiver of claim" which "has never been recognized as a form of legislative repeal."
According to the Presentment Clause, "[e]very Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approve he shall sign it, *1141but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it." U.S. Const. art I., § 7. The Constitution does not allow the Executive "to enact, to amend, or to repeal statutes." Clinton v. City of New York,
In Clinton, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the Line Item Veto Act because "[i]n both legal and practical effect," the Line Item Veto gave the President the power to amend "Acts of Congress by repealing a portion of each." Clinton,
This situation, however, is distinguishable from Clinton . Here, the Waivers are narrow in scope and only for the purpose of building border barriers something that is permitted by section 102(c). In Clinton, the Line Item Veto Act rendered the cancelled legal provisions powerless and effectively changed the law entirely.
In Defenders of Wildlife , the district court addressed the plaintiffs' presentment clause challenge to section 102(c) and stated,
The REAL ID Act's waiver provision differs significantly from the Line Item Veto Act. The Secretary has no authority to alter the text of any statute, repeal any law, or cancel any statutory provision, in whole or in part. Each of the twenty laws waived by the Secretary on October 26, 2007, retains the same legal force and effect as it had when it was passed by both houses of Congress and presented to the President.
5. Access to the Courts
a. Due Process/First Amendment Right to Petition/Article III
Coalition Plaintiffs argue in their motion, but not in their reply, in one paragraph, *1142that section 102(c)(2) deprives them of their due process rights and impairs their First Amendment right to petition the government. (Dkt. No. 29-1 at 36-37.) They argue they have a property and liberty interest in ensuring environmental laws and interests are protected and section 102(c)(2) removes any procedure that would protect their interests from arbitrary and capricious conduct by the Secretary.
California Plaintiffs argue that section 102(c)'s unreasonable procedural hurdles violate Californians' Article III and due process rights and the rights to potential parties' ability to petition the Court. They argue that the 2017 Waivers fail to identify the state laws that are purportedly waived. They also argue that the San Diego Waiver is vague when it states that DHS intends to install "various border infrastructure projects" within the "Project Areas" but fails to describe these other projects. Next, they argue that the San Diego Waiver does not provide reasonable notice as to when undisclosed projects will be constructed and purports to waive federal and state laws for the on-going maintenance of these structures. These uncertainties leave California unable to determine whether the projects will be the types of projects authorized by section 102, whether the areas will be considered areas of high illegal entry at the time they are installed and whether California should file a claim to protect their individual rights. Also, by barring all non-constitutional claims, the California Plaintiffs contend section 102(c)(2)(A) interferes with its right of access to the courts.
Defendants claim that Plaintiffs have not demonstrated that they have a cognizable life, liberty or property interest for a due process violation. They contend that California Plaintiffs' assertion of Article III standing is distinct from a liberty or property interest protected by the Fifth Amendment.
The Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause states "[n]o person shall ... be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." U.S. Const. amend. V. As a threshold, a plaintiff must show a liberty or property interest protected by the Constitution. Ching v. Mayorkas,
Coalition Plaintiffs summarily state they have property and liberty interests in ensuring environmental laws and interest are protected.
California Plaintiffs also claim that the 2017 Waivers do not identify which specific state laws are purportedly waived as the waiver language waives a specific list of over 30 federal statutes, "including all federal, state, or other laws, regulations and legal requirements of, deriving from, or related to the subject of, the following statutes." (Dkt. No. 30-6, Cayaban Decl., Ex. 11,
Lastly, Coalition Plaintiffs, in one paragraph, and not addressed in their reply, (Dkt. No. 29-1 at 36), and California Plaintiffs, raised in a paragraph, and not in their reply, (Dkt. No. 30-2 at 41), further claim that their First Amendment Right to Petition the government has been abridged by the judicial review bar in section 102(c)(2).
The First Amendment guarantees "the right of the people ... to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." U.S. Const. amend. I.
A one paragraph argument, by Coalition Plaintiffs and California Plaintiffs, is not sufficient to meaningfully address a First Amendment challenge. The Court declines to address an issue not properly briefed by the parties.
Therefore, the Court GRANTS Defendants' motions for summary judgment and DENIES Coalition and California Plaintiffs' motions for summary judgment on these issues.
6. Violation of the Tenth Amendment
Coalition Plaintiffs argue that Congress lacks the power to eliminate the concurrent jurisdiction of state courts unless it vests that power exclusively with a federal court. (Dkt. No. 29-1 at 35-36.) They contend that section 102 eliminates both federal and state jurisdiction by "vesting 'exclusive jurisdiction' over issues into a federal court only then to also remove *1144that judicial power from the very federal court it just vested with that power." (Id. at 36.) Defendants respond that Congress has specifically displaced state court jurisdiction when it enacted section 102(c)(2)(A), and expressly made federal jurisdiction exclusive for challenges to the waiver determinations.
"Under our federal system, the States possess sovereignty concurrent with that of the Federal Government, subject only to limitations imposed by the Supremacy Clause. Under this system of dual sovereignty, we have consistently held that state courts have inherent authority, and are thus presumptively competent, to adjudicate claims arising under the laws of the United States." Tafflin v. Levitt,
Section 102(c)(2)(A) grants the federal court with exclusive jurisdiction to handle all causes of action arising under section 102(c)(1) alleging a violation of the Constitution but shall not have jurisdiction over any other claim.
Accordingly, the Court GRANTS Defendants' motion for summary judgment and DENIES Coalition Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment on this issue.
7. Violation of California's Equal Sovereignty and Police Powers under the Tenth Amendment
The Tenth Amendment states that "[t]he powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." U.S. Const. amend X. The State of California argues that under the authority of Shelby Cnty., Alabama v. Holder,
Shelby involved a challenge to the Voting Rights Act ("VRA"), enacted in 1965. Shelby,
The VRA restriction only applied to nine States and some additional counties thereby violating the principal of equal sovereignty. Id. at 2624. In order to justify violating the equal sovereignty of states, the Court required that the statute's requirement be "sufficiently related to the problem that it targets." Id. at 2622. The Court found that the conditions that originally justified the VRA's passage, entrenched racial discrimination in voting, no longer existed in the covered states and counties as African-American voter turnout exceeded white voter turnout in the majority of the states covered by § 5. Id. at 2618-19. When a law treats one state differently from another, the Supreme Court "requires a showing that a statute's disparate geographic coverage is sufficiently related to the problem that it targets." Id. at 2622 (quoting Nw. Austin Municipal Util. Dist. Number One v. Holder,
Relying on the principles in Shelby , California argues that section 102 violates the Tenth Amendment because it disparately treats California in imposing waiver of its laws to build additional barriers even though the number of "high illegal entry" of aliens has dramatically decreased in recent years.
Here, unlike the State's power to regulate elections in Shelby , the authority vested in the Secretary of DHS concerning immigration and border security is broad. See Arizona v. United States,
Next, California argues that section 102 interferes with its police powers relying on City of Boerne. In City of Boerne, a local zoning authority denied a church a building permit, and the Supreme Court held that the Religious Freedom Reformation Act ("RFRA") was unconstitutional as applied to the states because it *1146was beyond Congress's remedial power to regulate states under Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. City of Boerne,
The Court does not find City of Boerne supportive of California's argument. First, City of Boerne did not involve a claim of a Tenth Amendment violation but addressed Congress' authority under Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment, a distinct provision of the Constitution. California claims its police powers, to legislate for the public good, is being curtailed by section 102 and that section 102(c) is grossly overbroad as it allows for the waiver of "all federal and state law." While the language of section 102(c) is broad since it applies to a waiver of "all legal requirements" the waiver is circumscribed to those the Secretary determines are "necessary to ensure expeditious construction of the barriers and roads."
The Court concludes that California Plaintiff's Tenth Amendment claim is without merit, and GRANTS Defendants' motion for summary judgment, and DENIES California Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment on this issue.
G. Whether Constitutional Avoidance Compels a Ruling that the August 2 Waiver is Ultra Vires to section 102
In their reply, Coalition Plaintiffs, for the first time, assert that judicial review of sections 102(a) and (b) is necessary to avoid serious constitutional problems. They argue that there are serious constitutional concerns because section 102(c) grants an unelected cabinet official with unbridled power to waive any law that has any remote connection to border security projects. Center Plaintiff also raises for the first time in its reply that the doctrine of constitutional avoidance compels a holding that the August 2 Waiver is ultra vires to section 102. In their reply, Defendants summarily argue that the canon of constitutional avoidance does not apply since the challenges are not serious enough based on the plain text of section 102.
"The so-called canon of constitutional avoidance is an interpretive tool, counseling that ambiguous statutory language be construed to avoid serious constitutional doubts." FCC v. Fox Tel. Stations, Inc.,
*1147Warger v. Shauers, --- U.S. ----,
"It is a bedrock principle of statutory interpretation that 'where an otherwise acceptable construction of a statute would raise serious constitutional problems, the Court will construe the statute to avoid such problems unless such construction is plainly contrary to the intent of Congress.' " Hawaii v. Trump,
As discussed above, the Court does not have serious constitutional doubts as to the constitutionality of section 102(c). Moreover, prior challenges to the initial amendment of section 102(c) broadening its waiver authority in 2005 have been upheld as constitutional. Accordingly, the Court declines to apply the doctrine of constitutional avoidance.
CONCLUSION
Based on the reasoning above, the Court DENIES Plaintiffs' motions for summary judgment and GRANTS Defendants' motions for summary judgment with the exception of the Center Plaintiff's seventh cause of action for FOIA violations.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
Endangered Species Act.
Coastal Zone Management Act.
Center Plaintiff alleges causes of action for (1) ultra vires violations of section 102(c); (2) violation of the Take Care Clause under Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution ; (3) violation of the separation of powers of the U.S. Constitution; (4) violation of the Presentment Clause under Article I, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution; (5) violations of NEPA; (6) violations of ESA; and (7) violation of the Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA"), and alternatively, violation of the Administrative Procedure Act ("APA"). (Dkt. No. 16, Ctr. Ps' SAC.)
The Coalition Plaintiffs' FAC alleges (1) ultra vires agency action under section 102(c); (2) violation of sections 102(a) and 102(b)(1)(C); (3) violation of the Presentment Clause under Article 1, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution; (4) violation of non-delegation doctrine under Article I, Section 1 and Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution; and (5) violations of Article III, the First Amendment right to petition, the Tenth Amendment by removing concurrent jurisdiction of state courts, and due process rights under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. (Dkt. No. 26.)
The California Plaintiffs' complaint seeks declaratory and/or injunctive relief claiming Defendants (1) failed to comply with NEPA and the APA; (2) failed to comply with the CZMA and the APA; (3) the Border Wall Projects are not authorized by section 102 based on ultra vires actions; (4) the Secretary's waiver authority expired on December 31, 2008; (5) the Waivers are invalid because they fail to satisfy section 102's requirements; (6) violation of Article III of the U.S. Constitution and the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment; (7) violation of the separation of powers doctrine; 8) violation of Article I, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution ; (9) violation of Article I, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution; (10) violation of Article I, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution; and (11) violation of the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Center Plaintiff only challenges the August 2, 2017 Waiver Determination while Coalition Plaintiffs and California Plaintiffs challenge both the August 2, and September 12, 2017 Waiver Determinations.
Center Plaintiff notes that its FOIA claim, Claim 7, is not subject to the cross-motions and will be resolved either via settlement or separate briefing. (Dkt. No. 28-1 at 14 n. 1.) Defendants agree arguing that the FOIA claim is not yet ripe for adjudication but also argue that the alternative APA claim regarding the processing of the FOIA requests should be dismissed since FOIA, itself, provides an adequate remedy. (Dkt. No. 35-1 at 94-95.) The Court declines to address the alternative APA claim based on the FOIA requests until after the FOIA claim, itself, is resolved.
Initially, California argued it has a concrete and particularized interest in protecting its natural, recreational, agricultural, historical, and cultural resources for the use, enjoyment and benefit of its residents but did not reassert these interests in its reply.
Plaintiffs note that the ability to bring an ultra vires claim was first recognized by the Supreme Court decades earlier in American School of Magnetic Healing v. McAnnulty,
The parties dispute the origins of ultra vires review. Coalition Plaintiffs claim courts have inherent authority to review ultra vires jurisdiction, (Dkt. No. 29-1 at 19; Dkt. No. 38 at 7), while Defendants argue that ultra vires review is an application of the rebuttable presumption of congressional intent in favor of judicial review. (Dkt. No. 35-1 at 35; Dkt. No. 42 at 20.) A decision on the origins of ultra vires review is not dispositive and the Court declines to resolve this issue.
A Ninth Circuit panel has also referred to the "clear and mandatory" standard as "unambiguous and mandatory" provision of a statute. See Charlie Rossi Ford, Inc. v. Price,
Pages numbers to the docket are based on the CM/ECF pagination.
In the 2005 waiver determination, former DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff noted that nine years had passed since Congress specifically sought the construction of 14 miles of building second and third fences to the existing reinforced fence under section 102(b). Therefore, in order to expedite the completion of section 102(b) of IIRIRA, he invoked the waiver provision in section 102(c) for "all federal, state, or other laws, regulations and legal requirements" related to the construction. See
Defendants note and the Court recognizes that that Coalition Plaintiffs are the only plaintiffs to have raised the consultation issue in their summary judgment motion. To the extent all Plaintiffs raise similar arguments in their supplemental briefs, the Court considers them.
The BPAM is responsible for constructing and maintaining facilities, tactical infrastructure and border infrastructure which also includes environmental planning and compliance associated with these activities. (Dkt. No. 49-4, Ds' Index of Exs., Ex. 31, Enriquez Decl. ¶ 3.)
In contrast, Center Plaintiff conceded that the strong presumption of judicial review is rebutted by the express statutory language of section 102(c). (Dkt. No. 28-1 at 22.)
California Plaintiffs separate their separation of powers and violation of the non-delegation doctrine into two causes of action despite similar arguments on both claims. The Court also notes that Coalition Plaintiffs have not sufficiently briefed the issue of separation of powers. They raise the issue of "separation of powers" in a heading, but their analysis consists of essentially one sentence. (Dkt. No. 29-1 at 34-35.) Because the non-delegation doctrine is rooted in the principle of separation of powers, the Court considers the two claims together. See Mistretta v. United States,
Notably, although the Court has not since struck down a challenged statute, it has narrowly construed statutory delegations. See, e.g., Indus. Union Dep't, AFL-CIO v. American Petroleum Inst.,
California Plaintiffs argue that Defendants fail to address their argument that while the non-delegation doctrine applies to cases where Congress provides the Executive power to decide which laws could be modified or terminated and under what circumstances, it has not authorized the Secretary to pick and choose among enacted laws and decide, which legislation to waive. Section 102 does not provide the Secretary with guidance as to which laws are to be waived or why. Because Defendants failed to address this argument, California Plaintiffs argue section 102(c) is unconstitutional and must be invalidated. However, Defendants addressed the boundaries of the Secretary's authority to waive laws limited to construction along the U.S. border and only those laws "necessary to ensure expeditious construction." (Dkt. No. 42 at 37.)
In Mistretta, for example, the statute in question authorized an independent Sentencing Commission to formulate sentencing guidelines for federal offenses. Mistretta,
In fact, the Court in Mistretta even recognized that the Act in question set forth "more than merely an 'intelligible principle.' " Mistretta,
A.L.A. Schechter Poultry Corp.,
In A.L.A. Schechter Poultry, the Court struck down the statute not on the grounds that it lacked judicial review, but because of the Act's failure to impose limitations on discretion.
The government described Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents ("DAPA") as "Deferred Action Guidance." Texas v. United States,
The district court in Texas noted that the issue was whether the Secretary of DHS has the power to establish DAPA stating that the President had not issued any executive orders or presidential proclamation or communique concerning DAPA but that it was solely established by the Secretary. Texas,
For example, California Plaintiffs argue the Secretary waived the Resource Conservation Recovery Act,
In reply, California Plaintiffs appear to assert a void-for-vagueness challenge under the First Amendment in response to an argument made in Defendants' brief. (Dkt. No. at 25; Dkt. No. 35-1 at 84 n.53.) The void-for vagueness argument, raised initially in California Plaintiffs' reply, morphed into a claim based on the parties' argument. California Plaintiffs did not raise the issue of void for vagueness under the First Amendment in their moving papers, and in fact, is not a claim alleged in their complaint. Instead, their complaint and their moving brief claim that section 102(c) is vague and therefore a violation of their due process rights under the Fifth Amendment which is distinct from a void-for-vagueness claim. The Court declines to address the void-for-vagueness challenge, an issue not raised in California Plaintiffs' complaint or moving brief.
California Plaintiffs also summarily argue that the 60 day statute of limitations from the date of publication in the Federal Register creates the risk that Californians will not learn about the full extent of the 2017 Waivers as it lacks clarity and fails to provide adequate notice which violates Article III of the U.S. Constitution. Defendants respond that this challenge is an irrelevant hypothetical as their complaint was timely filed. California Plaintiffs do not reply to Defendants' argument. The Court agrees that California Plaintiffs are asserting an argument that has no application to them as they filed their complaint timely; moreover, they provide no case law to support their argument.
In their reply, Coalition Plaintiffs dispute Defendants' argument that they failed to identify a liberty or property interest to support a due process claim and argued they asserted their right to access the courts and to enforce environmental and animal-protection laws. (Dkt. No. 38 at 26 n.10.) However, in their moving papers, Coalition Plaintiffs do not assert an interest in their right to access the courts in their due process analysis but solely an interest in "environmental laws and interests." (Dkt. No. 29-1 at 36-37.)
In their papers, Coalition Plaintiffs do not allege whether the concurrent federal and state jurisdiction argument is premised on a Tenth Amendment violation. However, their complaint alleges a Tenth Amendment violation based on this argument. (Dkt. No. 26, FAC ¶ 115.)
Reference
- Full Case Name
- IN RE: BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION
- Cited By
- 9 cases
- Status
- Published