News Summary

Construction crews have officially resumed work on the U.S.-Mexico border wall, starting in Tijuana and expanding to areas near El Paso, Texas. This renewed effort is backed by previous funding allocations and Trump’s national emergency declaration. Military troops have been deployed to assist in ensuring the construction runs smoothly. While existing contracts are set to continue, new federal funding needs legislative approval, prompting calls for significant investments in border security from Texas officials. Local perspectives on this construction reveal mixed feelings about its necessity and impact on immigration challenges.

Tijuana, Mexico – Construction Resumes on U.S.-Mexico Border Wall

The construction crews are back at work, and this time, they have their sights set on replacing sections of the border wall between the United States and Mexico. It all kicked off on January 22 in Tijuana, signaling the start of a new chapter in the ongoing saga of border security and immigration. Just a week later, on January 31, work began in another crucial area near El Paso, Texas. This flurry of activity is aimed at ensuring safer and more effective barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Full Speed Ahead Under Existing Contracts and Funding

When President Trump first took office, he made it clear that completing the border wall was a top priority. Now, with construction officially back in full swing, the projects are being funded through contracts and allocations made during his administration. In California, the newly constructed wall sections are equipped with innovative “anti-climb” features, bolstered in areas where barriers are minimal or outdated. The funding for this construction was set aside in 2018, with contracts handed over to Fisher Sand & Gravel.

Military Troops Join the Effort

To add an extra layer of security, personnel from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been mobilized to Friendship Park near the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry. The aim? To ensure that the wall construction goes off without a hitch. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is intent on wrapping up their California project with the fiscal 2018 funds, since there have been no allocations for these areas in the more recent budgets for 2021 and 2022.

Plans Under Trump’s National Emergency Declaration

The recent construction is also backed by Trump’s national emergency declaration, which instructs the Department of Homeland Security to initiate barriers that bolster operational control over the southern border. Plans are in place to close up existing gaps in the border barrier, particularly in the San Diego Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol. The anticipated kick-off for these projects is around March 2025, so there’s much to look forward to.

Additional Troop Deployments Enhance Security

To further secure the border, around five hundred U.S. Marines and sailors have been deployed from Camp Pendleton. Their mission is to lend a hand with border security operations. Over in Texas, a larger contingent of about 1,500 troops has set up shop at Fort Bliss. They’re gearing up to collaborate with Border Patrol along the stretch from El Paso to Sunland Park, New Mexico.

New Beginnings in El Paso

Meanwhile, in the El Paso sector, the groundwork has been laid for new wall sections, with construction finally commencing in late January. While the funding was confirmed by the Biden administration from the year 2020, actual construction hadn’t realized its potential until recently. Who exactly the contractors will be for the El Paso sections remains to be revealed, but it’s noted that Fisher Sand & Gravel holds the federal contract for 2020.

Funding Concerns Loom

As the ball rolls on existing projects, any new federal funding for border wall construction is going to need a new legislative push from Congress. Just recently, Texas Governor Greg Abbott requested a whopping $11 billion in funding that’s specifically aimed at state border wall efforts, land acquisition, and enforcement related to actions from the Biden administration. This request includes significant allocations such as $4.75 billion targeted towards border wall funding, alongside $3.62 billion aiming at personnel costs for National Guard deployments.

Local Perspectives Emerge

As projects move forward, various perspectives on the situation surface. Local rancher Russell Johnson expressed a hopeful outlook towards the resumed wall construction, believing it would be beneficial. On the flip side, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has been vocal about the need for clear communication surrounding these ongoing projects. As elected officials weigh in, it is apparent that opinions diverge greatly, with some championing the need for fortified measures and others advocating for more comprehensive solutions addressing immigration challenges.

With construction back in action, the future of the border wall remains a hot topic. While there are many moving pieces, one thing is for sure: the border wall saga continues to evolve, and everyone is watching closely to see what happens next.

Construction Resumes on U.S.-Mexico Border Wall