US to begin partial construction of Mexico border wall in Texas
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that construction of sections of the controversial border wall between the US and Mexico will begin in the state of Texas southwestern city of El Paso.
The CBP stated on Friday that the construction work to replace a four-mile section of chain link and metal fence with an 18-foot (6-meter) tall steel bollard wall will commence on Saturday.
"We need effective barriers to deny the entry of illegal aliens and contraband," said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Hull for CBP’s El Paso Sector as cited in local press reports.
"A balance of physical infrastructure, technology and personnel is key to securing the border and keeping our communities safe," Hull added.
This is while the CBP further stated in a news release that the “El Paso Sector continues to experience a high number of apprehensions of illegal aliens and drug smuggling.”
“In fiscal year 2017, El Paso Sector apprehended 25,193 illegal aliens, seized 34,189 pounds of marijuana and 140 pounds of cocaine,” added the federal agency. “Additionally during that fiscal year, there were 54 assaults against El Paso Sector agents.”
According to the press release, the construction project is expected to be completed in late April 2019 with an estimated cost of $22 million. It noted that CBP contracted West Point Contractors of Tucson, Arizona, on June 1 to erect the barrier.
The development came just one day after US President Donald Trump blasted the Congress for not funding his border wall in a recently passed spending bill.
"I want to know, where is the money for Border Security and the WALL in this ridiculous Spending Bill, and where will it come from after the Midterms?" Trump wrote in a twitter message at the time. "Dems are obstructing Law Enforcement and Border Security. REPUBLICANS MUST FINALLY GET TOUGH!"
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