Despite prior statements against expanding the border wall, President Joe Biden’s administration has announced plans to construct a 20-mile section in Starr County, Texas, to address the spike in immigration. This region, which shares its border with Mexico, has experienced a significant uptick in crossings.
The border wall became synonymous with former President Donald Trump’s administration and met strong resistance from Democrats. Biden had vowed during his 2020 campaign not to add any more segments to the wall. Moreover, his team declared soon after his inauguration that constructing a wall wasn’t a viable policy solution.
However, with immigration numbers soaring, this has become a pressing concern for the president. Recent data reveals over 245,000 crossings this year in the Rio Grande Valley alone, with September predicted to break records. Major US cities, including New York, have reported feeling the impact, anticipating a $12bn housing cost for new arrivals within three years.
In defense of the decision, US Customs and Border Protection stated that the funds for this project were appropriated in 2019 and should be utilized for their designated purpose. Meanwhile, environmental advocates have voiced concerns about the wall’s ecological implications, suggesting it could harm endangered species habitats.
The planned barriers are expected to include large bollards, a concrete base, gates, and surveillance equipment. The funds for this construction were secured during Trump’s tenure. This is the first time the Biden administration has initiated new wall construction, contrasting with Trump’s period when 50 miles of new wall were added and 400 miles of existing barriers enhanced.
Amid these developments, former President Trump has criticized Biden for retracting stringent border policies, resulting in the current situation. Recent figures indicate a considerable rise in border apprehensions, with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador estimating 10,000 daily arrivals at the border in the past week.
