Presidential Permit Authorizing the City of Laredo, Texas, to Expand and Continue to Maintain, and Operate a Vehicular Border Crossing at the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge Land Port of Entry
President Donald J. Trump issued a Presidential Permit authorizing the City of Laredo, Texas, to expand and operate a vehicular crossing at the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge.
The permit details numerous conditions, including compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, environmental mitigation measures, and reporting requirements to the President and other agencies.
The permit is contingent upon diplomatic approval from the Mexican government, and construction cannot begin until after this approval.
The permit will expire in five years if construction hasn't started by then.
Arguments For
Improved Border Infrastructure: The expansion enhances border crossing capacity, facilitating smoother and more efficient trade and travel between the US and Mexico.
Economic Benefits: Increased trade and tourism are expected to generate economic growth in Laredo and the surrounding region, creating jobs and stimulating business activity.
Enhanced Security: Modernized infrastructure can improve security measures at the border, strengthening efforts to prevent illegal crossings and smuggling.
Legal Authority: The permit is issued under the President's authority granted by 33 U.S.C. § 535d, which allows for presidential permits for border crossings.
International Cooperation: The project reflects cooperation with the Mexican government, as demonstrated by the diplomatic note exchange required before construction begins.
Arguments Against
Environmental Concerns: Construction could have negative environmental impacts, requiring careful mitigation to protect natural resources and minimize disruption.
Cost and Funding: The project's financial burden and the mechanisms for ensuring adequate funding need to be clearly outlined to avoid unexpected cost overruns.
Potential for Unintended Consequences: Increased traffic could place a strain on local infrastructure and create new environmental and social challenges in Laredo.
Regulatory Compliance: Strict adherence to numerous Federal, State, and local laws and regulations is crucial to avoid legal challenges and delays during implementation.
Risk of Delays: Diplomatic and regulatory approvals, along with the need for multiple governmental concurrences, could lead to substantial delays in project completion.
By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States of America (the “President”), I hereby grant permission, subject to the conditions set forth herein, to the City of Laredo, Texas (the “Permittee”), to expand and continue to maintain and operate a vehicular crossing at the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge Land Port of Entry located on the United States border with Mexico in Laredo, Texas, as described in the “Application for a Presidential Permit Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge Expansion” dated November 14, 2024, by the Permittee to the Secretary of State and made complete with additional information provided by the Permittee on February 18, 2025 (collectively, the “Application”), in accordance with 33 U.S.C. § 535d and associated procedures.
The President uses their authority to grant permission to the City of Laredo to expand the existing Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge.
This permission is subject to specific conditions outlined in the document and is based on an application submitted by the City of Laredo.
The term “Border facilities” as used in this permit consists of the bridge over the Rio Grande, including two new 4-lane spans for commercial traffic parallel and adjacent to the existing Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge land port of entry, its approaches, and any land, structures, installations, or equipment appurtenant thereto located in Laredo, Texas on the United States side of the international boundary between the United States and Mexico.
The permit defines "Border facilities" to encompass various infrastructure components involved within the expansion, such as bridge spans, approaches, access points and appurtenant assets on the U.S. side of the border.
This permit is subject to the following conditions:
The following sections specify the conditions that Laredo must uphold during and after this bridge expansion.
Article 1. The Border facilities herein described and all aspects of their operation are subject to all the conditions, provisions, and requirements of this permit and any subsequent Presidential amendment to it. The construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities shall be in all material respects as described in the Application.
Article 1 states that all operations must adhere to the permit's conditions and any future presidential amendments.
The construction and maintenance must comply with all details that are outlined from the application.
Article 2. The standards for and the manner of construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities are subject to inspection by the representatives of appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies. The Permittee shall grant officers and employees of such agencies that are duly authorized and performing their official duties free and unrestricted access to said Border facilities.
Article 2 mandates inspections by Federal, State, and local agencies and requires that the city of Laredo allow access for these agencies' duly authorized representatives.
Article 3. The Permittee shall comply with all applicable Federal laws and regulations regarding the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities.
Article 3 specifies that Laredo must follow all relevant Federal laws and regulations for construction, maintenance, and operation.
Article 4. (1) The Permittee shall take or cause to be taken all appropriate measures to mitigate adverse impacts on or disruption of the human environment in connection with the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities. Mitigation measures are those that avoid, minimize, or compensate for adverse impacts.
(2) The Permittee shall hold harmless and indemnify the United States for any claimed or adjudged liability arising out of construction, maintenance, and operation of the Border facilities, including environmental contamination from the release, threatened release, or discharge of hazardous substances or hazardous waste.
(3) The Permittee is responsible for obtaining any required Federal, State, and local permits, approvals, and authorizations prior to commencing construction activities. The Permittee shall implement the mitigation identified in any environmental decision documents prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Federal permits, including stormwater permits and permits issued in accordance with section 402 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1342). The Permittee shall comply with applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws.
Article 4 details environmental responsibilities. (1) Requires environmental impact mitigation. (2) Holds Laredo harmless for any liabilities that result from this expansion. (3) Requires Laredo to obtain other permits and comply will all environmental laws.
Article 5. The Permittee shall immediately notify the President or his designee of any decision to transfer custody and control of the Border facilities or any part thereof to any executive department or agency (agency) of the United States Government. Said notice shall identify the transferee agency and seek the approval of the President for the transfer of the permit. In the event of approval by the President of such transfer, this permit shall remain in force and effect, and the Border facilities shall be subject to all the conditions, permissions, and requirements of this permit and any amendments thereof. The Permittee may transfer ownership or control of the Border facilities to a non-Federal entity or individual only upon the prior express approval of such transfer by the President, which approval may include such conditions, permissions, and requirements that the President, in the President’s discretion, determines are appropriate and necessary for inclusion in the permit, to be effective on the date of transfer.
Article 5 outlines procedures for transferring custody or ownership of the Border facilities.
It requires Laredo to notify the President before transferring to any federal agency and obtain presidential approval before transferring to non-federal entities.
Article 6. The Permittee is responsible for acquiring and maintaining any right-of-way grants or easements, permits, and other authorizations as may become necessary or appropriate. To ensure the safe operation of the Border facilities, the Permittee shall maintain them and every part of them in a condition of good repair and in compliance with applicable law and use of best management practices.
Article 6 assigns Laredo responsibility for acquiring all necessary rights-of-way and authorizations.
It also emphasizes the need for responsible maintenance and usage of best practices.
Article 7. To the extent authorized by law, and consistent with any Donation Acceptance Agreements (DAAs) already executed with the Permittee under the Donation Acceptance Authority found in 6 U.S.C. § 301a and section 559 of title V of division F of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-76), as amended, as continued by 6 U.S.C. § 301b, the Permittee shall provide to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Commissioner) of the Department of Homeland Security and the heads of any other relevant agencies, at no cost to the United States, suitable inspection facilities, infrastructure improvements, equipment, and maintenance, as set forth in the DAAs. Nothing in this permit obligates such agencies to provide a particular level of services or staffing for such inspection facilities or for any other aspect of the port of entry associated with the Border facilities.
Article 7 clarifies that Laredo must provide certain inspection facilities and infrastructure improvements at no cost to the United States, as defined in existing Donation Acceptance Agreements (DAAs).
This does not guarantee any specific level of agency service or staffing for those facilities.
Article 8. Before beginning design activities, the Permittee shall provide a Donation Acceptance Proposal for the approval of the Commissioner, the Administrator of General Services (Administrator), and the Secretary of Transportation detailing the Permittee’s plans for the construction and staffing of suitable inspection facilitates, infrastructure improvements, equipment, and maintenance at no cost to the Unit States upon commencement of operations utilizing the construction expansion and thereafter.
Article 8 requires Laredo to provide a proposal for Commissioner, Administrator of General Services and Secretary of Transportation approval in order to detail plans for construction and staffing for inspection facilities and equipment before design activities begin.
This will be at no cost to the United States.
Relevant agencies will coordinate with the Permittee to further refine the above conditions, as necessary, within 1 year of permit issuance.
Relevant agencies will coordinate with Laredo to refine the conditions within one year of the permit's issuance.
Article 9. Before initiating construction, the Permittee shall obtain the concurrence of the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commissions, United States and Mexico.
Article 9 mandates obtaining the concurrence from the US Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, with the United States and Mexico, prior to starting construction.
Article 10. The Permittee shall not initiate construction until the Department of State has provided notification to the Permittee that the Department of State has completed its exchange of diplomatic notes with the Government of Mexico regarding authorization. The Permittee shall provide written notification to the President or his designee at the time that the construction authorized by this permit begins, at the time as such construction is completed, interrupted, or discontinued, and at other times as may be requested by the President.
Article 10 states that construction is contingent upon the Department of State's notification that diplomatic authorization has been received from Mexico.
It also stipulates various notification requirements to the President or designee throughout the construction process.
Article 11. Upon request, the Permittee shall provide appropriate information to the President or his designee with regard to the Border facilities. Such requests could include requests for information concerning current conditions, environmental compliance, mitigation, or anticipated changes in ownership or control, construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of the Border facilities.
Article 11 requires Laredo to provide information related to the Border facilities to the President or designee upon request.
Article 12. The Permittee shall file any applicable statements and reports required by applicable Federal law in connection with the Border facilities.
Article 12 outlines Laredo's responsibility for filing all required statements and reports according to Federal law.
Article 13. The Permittee shall make no substantial change to the Border facilities, in the location of the Border facilities, or in the operation authorized by this permit, unless such changes have been approved by the President. The President may terminate, revoke, or amend this permit at any time at his sole discretion. The Permittee’s obligation to implement any amendment to this permit is subject to the availability of funds. If the Permittee permanently closes the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge and it is no longer used as an international crossing, then this permit shall terminate, and the Permittee may manage, utilize, or dispose of the Border facilities in accordance with applicable authorities. This permit shall continue in full force and effect for only so long as the Permittee continues the operations hereby authorized.
Article 13 states that Laredo cannot make substantial changes without President's approval.
The President can terminate or amend the permit at any time. The permit ends if the bridge is permanently closed as an international crossing.
Article 14. This permit shall expire 5 years from the date of its issuance if the Permittee has not commenced construction of the Border facilities by that date.
Article 14 specifies that the permit expires in 5 years if construction hasn't begun by then.
Article 15. This permit is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
Article 15 clarifies that the permit does not create any legal rights enforceable against the United States.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
This is the closing statement, indicating the date of the permit's signature and issuance.
DONALD J. TRUMP
President's signature.
This is a standard White House postscript indicating where this document was originally published.