Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has signed a waiver permitting 17 miles of waterborne barriers to be built rapidly for the Rio Grande River in Texas as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, the agency announced Thursday.

“A capability gap has been identified in waterways along the Southwest border where drug smuggling, human trafficking and other dangerous and illegal activity occurs. In response to this gap, CBP has identified the requirement for the construction of waterborne barriers to support the border security mission in waterways.

“In addition, waterborne barriers are intended to create a safer border environment for patrolling agents, as well as deter illegal aliens from attempting to illegally cross the border through dangerous waterways.,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection wrote in a release.

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