Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced the construction of seven miles of new border wall in Arizona.
Noem announced in a short video posted to her X account on Sunday, marking the start of additional border wall construction along the southern border under President Donald Trump’s second term.
Why It Matters
A promise to build a wall along the United States-Mexico border was a defining promise from Trump during the 2016 election. While some stretches were constructed during his first term, the Biden administration halted much of the project. Trump said he would continue the project on his return to the White House as part of efforts to secure the border.
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What To Know
The contract costs $70,285,846, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
“Everybody, I’m here in Arizona, and right at this spot, you can see where the border wall ends,” Noem said in her video while standing along the border, donning a CBP hat and jacket. “As of today, we’re starting 7 new miles of construction. We’re going to continue to make America safe again.”
The project to restart wall construction in the Rio Grande Valley is being paid for out of 2021 CBP funds after the Biden administration initially canceled the contract. A vast stretch of Arizona’s border with Mexico already has barriers in place, some dating back to before the last Trump administration, but several miles are still without.
During the first Trump administration, around 458 miles of border wall were built, but much of that replaced existing structures that were too short or needed repairs. While large sections of California’s and Arizona’s borders have been covered, much of Texas’ border is still without barriers from the federal government.
Previous presidents, including George W. Bush and Barack Obama, also made moves to build barriers, but the project has been hindered by wildlife and environmental concerns, land ownership disputes, and the different priorities of changing administrations.
While the physical barrier has been seen to halt some illegal crossings, immigrants have still been seen scaling the 30-foot fence, while smugglers have cut holes in remote areas to allow people to climb through.
Under the current administration, illegal crossings along the southwest border have dropped dramatically. The U.S. military has assisted CBP in ensuring the border is secured and well-patrolled, and adding to the wall is seen as a way to bolster those efforts despite falling crossing numbers.
Republican Alabama Senator Katie Britt introduced a bill in January called the WALL Act. It asks for $25 billion to complete the project, using cash from projects seen to benefit those in the country illegally.
What People Are Saying
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in a press release: “The RGV Sector is an area of high-illegal entry and experiences large numbers of individuals and narcotics being smuggled into the country illegally. Completing the border wall in these locations will support the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) ability to impede and deny illegal border crossings and the drug- and human smuggling activities of cartels.
Republican Alabama Senator Katie Britt, in a January press release: “The United States needs a completed border wall—it is just common sense to have a physical barrier in place to ensure only lawful entry into our country. The WALL Act would ensure the completion of America’s border wall without raising taxes on U.S. citizens or increasing the national debt by a single penny. It would accomplish this by eliminating taxpayer-funded entitlement benefits for illegal aliens, which would further deter illegal migration.”
What Happens Next
As the first contract of the new administration, it is likely more will follow in the coming weeks and months. Funding from Congress will be critical for the administration to achieve its aim of finishing the wall.
Update 3/17/25, 1:20 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
