(PatriotNews.net) – California lawmakers are begging President Trump to declare a state of emergency as toxic sewage from Mexico continues to flood American soil, poisoning communities and even contaminating the air with aerosolized methamphetamine.
Key Takeaways
- California Assembly resolution AJR 16 unanimously passed committee, urging President Trump to declare a federal emergency over the Tijuana River sewage crisis
- Over 200 billion gallons of toxic sewage has flowed into the U.S. since 2018, forcing Imperial Beach to close for more than 1,000 consecutive days
- UC San Diego researchers discovered pollutants including methamphetamine are being aerosolized, creating airborne health hazards for nearby communities
- Despite $703 million in federal funding already allocated, lawmakers say only a presidential emergency declaration can provide the resources needed to solve the crisis
California Lawmakers Turn to Trump After Years of Failed Solutions
In a stunning indictment of the federal government’s inability to protect American citizens from foreign pollution, California lawmakers have formally requested that President Trump declare a state of emergency over the catastrophic sewage crisis flowing from Mexico’s Tijuana River. The Assembly Joint Resolution 16 (AJR 16) passed unanimously through the Environmental Safety Committee in early July 2025 and now heads to the full Assembly for consideration. This desperate plea comes after years of ineffective responses that have left American communities suffering from what lawmakers describe as an “environmental injustice” of historic proportions.
The resolution, sponsored by Assemblymember David Alvarez, pulls no punches in describing the scale of the disaster. Since October 2018, more than 200 billion gallons of toxic effluent have crossed into the United States via the Tijuana River Valley. The contamination has forced the closure of Imperial Beach for over 1,000 consecutive days, decimating local tourism and causing residents to flee their homes due to the overwhelming stench and health concerns. Navy SEAL training operations have been repeatedly canceled due to the dangerous water conditions.
Airborne Methamphetamine and Toxic Chemicals Threaten Public Health
Perhaps most alarming are recent scientific findings from UC San Diego researchers who discovered that pollutants from the sewage are being aerosolized into the air, exposing residents to a toxic cocktail that includes methamphetamine at levels that could affect fish populations. This revelation transforms what was already an environmental disaster into a full-blown public health emergency, with airborne pathogens now threatening communities miles from the actual water source. The Tijuana River was recently named the second most endangered river in America, highlighting the severity of this ongoing catastrophe.
“The federal government has failed to protect American citizens from this foreign pollution for decades,” said a local resident who asked not to be named. “Our children can’t play outside on many days because the air literally makes them sick. We’re breathing in sewage and drugs from another country while Washington bureaucrats shuffle papers.”
Federal Agencies Violated Clean Water Act While Crisis Worsened
The resolution specifically criticizes the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) for underfunding maintenance of treatment facilities by $36 million between 2011 and 2021, effectively violating the Clean Water Act and other federal environmental protections. This systematic neglect has allowed the crisis to metastasize into what many consider an international embarrassment. The resolution demands full funding for the EPA’s Comprehensive Infrastructure Solution, which requires an estimated $610 million to implement properly.
While Governor Newsom secured $250 million in federal funding in December 2024 to repair and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, bringing total federal allocations to $703 million, lawmakers insist this piecemeal approach is insufficient. Only a presidential emergency declaration can unlock the comprehensive resources needed to address both immediate contamination and long-term infrastructure failures. The resolution also calls for federal investment to address similar pollution issues in the New River.
Previous Administration Failed to Act Despite Bipartisan Pleas
This isn’t the first time federal intervention has been requested. In 2023, bipartisan members of Congress urged then-President Biden to declare a state of emergency, citing “alarming levels of noxious gas” and other hazards. That request went nowhere, leaving border communities to continue suffering. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) previously blamed the State Department for the inaction, suggesting diplomatic concerns with Mexico were being prioritized over the health of American citizens.
The California Senate has also taken action, passing a legislative package in June 2025 that includes SB 10 and SB 594 to protect the Tijuana River Watershed. Additionally, the state deployed a $4.7 million pilot project with trash booms to intercept debris and allocated $2.7 million for air purifiers in affected homes. But these state-level efforts, while important, cannot substitute for the federal response that only a presidential emergency declaration can mobilize.
Will Trump Administration Succeed Where Others Failed?
As AJR 16 advances to the full Assembly, all eyes are on President Trump’s potential response. The resolution represents a formal acknowledgment that previous approaches have failed and that only emergency federal intervention can address what has become both an environmental catastrophe and a national security concern. With Mexico currently constructing a $33-million wastewater plant to supplement cross-border efforts, American lawmakers are emphasizing that matching commitment is essential from the U.S. federal government.
For residents of Imperial Beach and surrounding communities who have endured years of closed beaches, toxic air, and health concerns, the resolution offers a glimmer of hope that their nightmare might finally receive the emergency attention it deserves. The question remains whether this administration will prioritize protecting American soil and citizens from this foreign contamination where previous administrations have failed.
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