In one of Joe Biden’s first moves as President of the United States, he halted construction of the border wall along the southern border of the United States, a move that disenfranchises half of the nation from the promise of border security that led to the election of President Donald Trump in 2016.
An executive order issued by Biden Wednesday, shortly after his swearing in, ordered crews constructing the steel security wall along the US-Mexico border to stop. In doing so, Biden delivered on a campaign promise to hit a “pause” button on the Trump administration’s signature project.
The President’s order rescinded the national emergency that President Trump declared allowing for the use of about $10 billion from Defense Department accounts to apply toward the security project.
Biden’s order directs the government affiliated private contractors to stop construction “as soon as possible but in no case later than seven days.” The Biden team is set to make a full assessment of the project, seeking to determine the legality of its funding and whether that funding can be allocated elsewhere.
Biden stopped the construction of border wall at the United States-Mexico border and suspended a crucial anti-fraud initiative that effectively helped eliminate the Catch and Release program. https://t.co/t0gU0thJ3J
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) January 22, 2021
“It shall be the policy of my Administration that no more American taxpayer dollars be diverted to construct a border wall,” Biden’s unilateral order reads. “I am also directing a careful review of all resources appropriated or redirected to construct a southern border wall.”
The executive action also orders federal departments and agencies to craft a plan within 60 days to redirect border wall funds and to “resume, modify, or terminate” portions of the security structure that remain under construction.
Under the Trump administration, 455 miles of new barriers along the Mexico boundary were completed, including the replacement of semi-permeable anti-vehicle barriers with cohesive 30-foot-tall steel bar panels.
Much of the unfinished construction is in the rugged terrain of South Texas, where much of the land the Trump administration sought to build is privately held. This area includes the Rio Grande’s winding course.
Congress appropriated enough funding for the project to pay for 298 miles of security barrier, 71 miles of which has been completed.
This would technically mandate the Biden administration to complete up to 227 additional miles of border wall.
“Just today, he declined to say he would enforce the laws Congress has already passed to secure the border wall system.”
Sen. Josh @HawleyMO said he would place a hold on President-elect Joe Biden’s choice to lead @DHSgov. https://t.co/2KDsP3CfFZ
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) January 20, 2021
During the campaign, Biden, in his rare public appearances, pledged to make the United States a “welcoming place for immigrants.”