What’s the Status of Trump’s Border Wall?

An additional 22 miles of the waterborne barrier system has been constructed since Trump’s return to office. 

Trump’s Administrations have faced several hurdles in constructing the border wall. 

One aspect of the construction that has posed significant challenges has been the need to acquire land that is already owned. Approximately 70% of the border is made up of private, tribal, or state-owned land, according to the GAO. And the federal government has faced pushback from all three fronts.

Among multiple challenges that have been made in response to the government’s attempts to acquire land, the Texas General Land Office in July sent CBP and an agency contractor a cease-and-desist letter after it said it discovered that the contractor had cleared over a mile of state land for construction, using heavy machinery and destroying vegetation.

“Texas sovereignty will not be infringed upon by failure to follow established protocol,” said Commissioner Dawn Buckingham in a statement. “I am committed to maintaining a positive relationship with CBP, but we will not allow rogue actors who breached our agreement to undermine the incredible work we do for Texas.”