The GoFundMe border wall was illegally built, the city says. Now the landowner could face jail time.

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New Mexico city officials say permits were never issued for the controversial border wall project. The landowner could face up to 90 days in jail.

The controversial crowdfunded wall built along the New Mexico border was illegally constructed, city officials say, charging the landowner where the wall was erected with building without a permit, a crime punishable by up to three months in jail.

City officials in Sunland Park, New Mexico, said in a court filing this month neither landowner George Cudahy nor the group We Build The Wall had obtained the necessary building permits to construct the multimillion-dollar barrier along the US-Mexico border over Memorial Day weekend.

About two weeks later, the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) — the agency responsible for managing waterways between the US and Mexico — said construction crews also failed to obtain authorization to build a gate that crossed onto federal land.

Cudahy, the CEO of American Eagle Brick Company, could face up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine for the violation. According to a complaint obtained by BuzzFeed News, Cudahy submitted an incomplete application to erect the half-mile wall, and no permit had been issued for its construction.

The article links to recent news about how a large gate in their little wall was ordered open on account of how the wall blocked officials from accessing a levee and dam, and cut off public access to a historic monument. All the money for a wall....that has got a gate left open. Lol.

It notes how the founder of the We Build the Wall, Brian Kolfage, has got an extensive history of creating and profiting from fake, inflammatory news & conspiracy theories.
 

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The idea of needing a permit to build on one's own land seems antithetical to a free society.

It seems that way until you realize that what one does on one's own land can negatively impact the neighboring properties and/or visitors to and subsequent owners of that property, and that even within a libertarian ideal, there's still plenty of room for the government to protect against such externalities.
 
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The idea of needing a permit to build on one's own land seems antithetical to a free society.
Of course, government land is another matter - but even then 3 months in jail is ridiculously draconian for something like that.
They built some of the wall on federal land, and didn't get a permit. And might not be able to get one. You cant just build thing anywhere. Also they want things to look attracted in some places. I doubt they will get jail time. Unless its a very Conservative city or State.
 
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