In a surprising move, the Biden administration has approved the construction of a section of border wall in southern Texas, specifically in Starr County along the US-Mexico border. This decision comes in response to the rising levels of immigration and a surge in illegal border crossings. The border wall, a key policy of former President Donald Trump, was vehemently opposed by Democrats, including President Joe Biden, who promised not to build any more sections of the wall during his campaign.
The decision to build the new section of the wall has sparked controversy and criticism. According to government data, more than 245,000 illegal border crossings have occurred this year in the Rio Grande Valley area alone, making September on track to become a record month. The Biden administration has argued that it is using funds already allocated for a border barrier, stating that Congress appropriated fiscal year 2019 funds for border barrier construction in the Rio Grande Valley, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is required to use those funds for their designated purpose.
The new section of the wall will span approximately 20 miles and will consist of large bollards embedded in a concrete base, along with gates, cameras, and CCTV equipment, as outlined in a proposal by US Customs and Border Protection. Despite these plans, the move has drawn significant criticism from environmentalists who are concerned about the impact on endangered plants and animals. The construction has necessitated the waiver of dozens of federal laws, including the Clean Air Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, grappling with the strain of accommodating more than 100,000 new arrivals since last year, estimated the cost of housing these migrants to rise to $12 billion over the next three years. In response, he is travelling to Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador to discourage migrants from making the journey to the US. The Secretary of Homeland Security emphasised the “acute and immediate need” for the new section of the wall to prevent unlawful entries.
Former President Donald Trump, speaking to Fox News, blamed President Biden for the current crisis, asserting that the surge in migrants was a direct consequence of repealing his strict border policies. Trump claimed that Biden was now forced to reintroduce those policies to address the situation.
This decision marks the first time the Biden administration has approved the construction of new border wall sections, a practice frequently carried out during Trump’s presidency, which resulted in the construction of 450 miles of border barriers. The move underscores the complex and contentious nature of immigration policy in the United States, as the Biden administration navigates between maintaining border security and addressing humanitarian concerns.
Kiki Garba.
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