As toxic waste floods into California from Mexico, local lawmakers are urging President Trump to act now—before the health crisis turns catastrophic.
Border Sewage Catastrophe Hits Breaking Point
The Tijuana River Valley is drowning in sewage, and California lawmakers have had enough. In a rare show of unity, state legislators are calling on President Donald Trump to declare a national emergency to confront the ongoing environmental and health disaster threatening Imperial Beach and surrounding communities.
Assembly Joint Resolution 16, spearheaded by Assemblymember David Alvarez, passed unanimously through committee and now heads to the full Assembly. The resolution demands federal funding to fix broken infrastructure, build sewage deterrents, and protect American lives and livelihoods.
Public Health Crisis Ignored
Border communities like Imperial Beach have suffered for years under this environmental assault. Since 2018, over 200 billion gallons of toxic wastewater have spilled across the border, forcing beach closures, killing marine life, and devastating tourism. Residents are reporting respiratory issues and infections—while Washington and Sacramento continue to delay action.
San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond showing Mexico floods California with raw sewage “It's absolutely disgusting”
“This has been going on for decades. Sewage water pouring across from Mexico with all sorts of other garbage. Tires, plastics, diapers, anything you can think of… pic.twitter.com/sljGkdhoKb
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) March 31, 2025
“Enough is enough,” Alvarez declared.
“Border communities like San Ysidro and Calexico should not be treated as sacrifice zones.”
Even more alarming, the New River in Calexico is flowing with industrial sludge and raw sewage, prompting local health emergencies as far back as 2017. Yet despite visits to D.C. and repeated warnings, neither the Biden administration nor state leaders have declared a formal emergency.
A National Response or More Rhetoric?
Lawmakers say it’s time to drop the politics and put Americans first. They’re pushing for a robust federal response—one that goes beyond press statements and photo ops to deliver real funding, engineering, and international enforcement.
The Mexico raw sewage flowing into America is so much worse than we were told
🚨 10 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY is flowing into San Diego from Mexico
San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond “There's approximately 5 to 10 million gallons a day that bypass the treatment plant and… pic.twitter.com/pRtg9UJsJr
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) June 5, 2025
If President Trump responds, it would mark a turning point in the battle for border community health and environmental justice. His America First policy, applied here, would mean prioritizing the safety of U.S. citizens over diplomatic hesitations with Mexican authorities.
Sources:
California Lawmakers Request Trump Declare State Of Emergency Over Tijuana River Pollution
Californians Call on Donald Trump To Declare State of Emergency – Newsweek