When Donald Trump ran for president in 2016, he promised a “big, beautiful wall” along the US-Mexico border to stop illegal immigration and drugs. Now, with the election approaching, the record shows that only 15 miles of entirely new primary barrier have been built in areas where no barrier previously existed, according to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Before Mr Trump took office, the southern border had 654 miles of barrier, including 354 miles of pedestrian fencing and 300 miles of anti-vehicle barriers. By 6 October, CBP reported 669 miles of primary barrier and 65 miles of secondary barrier. In addition, some 350 miles of replacement structures and new secondary barrier have been erected, with 378 miles more planned – though less than half of that will be in locations without existing barriers.
Mr Trump has repeatedly insisted that replacement barriers count as new wall, saying they involve “complete demolition and rebuilding of old and worthless barriers”. He has also shifted from his original promise of a concrete wall to steel fencing. Most of the construction so far is 18-30ft reinforced bollard fencing, according to the non-partisan Congressional Research Service. The service noted: “It poses a formidable barrier, but it is not the high, thick masonry structure that most dictionaries term a 'wall'.”
The barriers have used significant materials: 774,000 cubic yards (592,000 cubic metres) of concrete and 539,000 tonnes of steel, according to CBP. The cost has been borne by US taxpayers, not Mexico, contrary to Mr Trump’s campaign pledge. He has yet to reach his own target of “substantially more than 500 miles” by January 2021, even including all new, replacement and secondary barriers.
Democratic candidate Joe Biden has said he would not tear down the barrier but would not expand it further. The fate of the wall project therefore hangs on the outcome of the presidential election.
