Border wall construction surges ahead as illegal crossings plummet to historic lows

Arizona and Texas are expected to see an increase in border wall construction following recent actions from the federal government. In Arizona, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has awarded Fisher Sand & Gravel Co. over $300 million to build 27 miles of the wall in the Tucson Sector, which was a known hotspot for illegal crossings during the Biden administration. This contractor was frequently used during Trump’s first term in office.
The development will take place in Santa Cruz County, a predominantly rural area that includes Nogales. The funds for this project were already allocated in CBP’s 2021 budget. Many border wall contracts were canceled during Biden’s time in office, leaving materials sitting unused at the border, including in the Tucson Sector.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has taken steps to expedite border wall construction in areas where there are gaps, including in Arizona, California, and Texas. This has been achieved primarily through granting environmental waivers to avoid administrative delays. A fifth waiver was recently signed off for 17 miles of wall in Texas’s Rio Grande Valley Sector.
Earlier this month, DHS granted waivers for 36 miles of wall development in Arizona and New Mexico, including in the Tucson, El Paso, and Yuma Sectors. California is also expected to see further wall construction with environmental waivers being cleared earlier this year.
Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines praised President Trump’s commitment to border security and expressed support for the completion of the wall across the entire southern border. He emphasized the importance of equipping DHS and CBP agents with the necessary tools and resources to ensure national security and keep America safe.
Opponents of wall construction have raised environmental concerns, such as the potential impact on wildlife. Blue states and advocacy groups like the Sierra Club and the American Civil Liberties Union have previously sued the federal government over the wall.
Since President Trump took office in January, the situation at the southern border has been relatively calm. In May, zero individuals who crossed illegally were released into the U.S. interior, a significant decrease from the 62,000 released last year. Migrant encounters have also dropped, with just under 9,000 encounters last month compared to nearly 118,000 last year.
Acting Commissioner of CBP, Pete Flores, highlighted the historic support the agency has received under the current administration, leading to a 93% decrease in illegal crossings along the southwest border compared to the previous year. This success in enforcing border security measures has contributed to the protection of American communities.