Texas backtracks on construction of border wall with Mexico

Four years ago, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced his intention to build a wall on the border with Mexico to stop the crossing of migrants into the United States. The barrier would be approximately 800 miles long, cost billions of dollars, and would give Texans “the support they need and deserve,” in his words. Abbott included the project as part of the “most robust and comprehensive border plan the country has ever seen.” However, in recent weeks, lawmakers have stopped funding the project, which has only been 8% completed.

Earlier this month, the state budget was approved, which includes $3.4 billion for border security. Not a single sliver of that money will be used for the wall, of which just over 60 miles of finished structure, nine meters high and with a three-meter underground base, will remain. The news was confirmed to The Texas Tribune by Senator Joan Huffman, lead drafter of the state budget. Huffman stated that the funds in question will be allocated primarily to the Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard, tasked with arresting migrants as part of Operation Lone Star, also promoted by Abbott.

“It’s not that we don’t think it’s an ongoing need to secure the border. It should have always been a function of the federal government, in my opinion, and that wasn’t really being done,” the senator noted.

Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Abbott, said Texas had been able to adjust its own measures thanks to the Trump administration’s work on the southern border. “Texas will continue to maintain a robust presence with our federal partners to arrest, jail, and deport illegal immigrants,” the spokesperson explained. He added that the military and law enforcement departments will continue their border missions, but made no mention of the wall.

A controversial and expensive project

Construction of the wall began in December 2021, using local labor and materials. It was intended to extend across both state-owned land and private holdings whose owners had given permission. Its completion was expected to require over $20 billion in costs and 30 years of work. From the outset, the project drew criticism, particularly from environmental groups and human rights advocates, who called it unnecessary and ineffective.

However, the program always enjoyed the approval of Donald Trump. In January, shortly after taking office for his second term, the Republican magnate praised Abbott, calling him “a great man, a great leader.” He also promised that, with him at the helm, construction of the wall would be completed “very quickly.” “I wanted that sucker to go up 50, 60 feet, nice Y-shape. Beautiful. I love construction.” He also referred to the final approved design, which combines hardened steel and reinforced concrete. According to Trump, it was capable of stopping even the most experienced climbers. “Sometimes you sacrifice beauty for efficiency,” he added.

That same month, the Texas Facilities Commission, which is in charge of construction, revealed it had a goal of completing 100 miles by 2026, although in April the project manager reported that they only had enough money to complete 83 miles.

Meanwhile, in January, Abbott assured that construction continued to move forward in Maverick County, located in the south of the state, very close to the Rio Grande. “Operation Lone Star provides the protection Texans and Americans need — and deserve — due to President Biden’s border crisis,” he confirmed on his X account, alongside a video showing a crane and several workers constructing the wall.

Days later, the governor shared images of a completed section of the wall and announced that “a brighter, more secure future” was “just around the corner.” He did not publicly address the issue after that. So far, he has not personally commented on the project’s sudden halt.

Despite Abbott’s silence, criticism has been heard. Texas Democratic Senator Roland Gutierrez wrote on X: “Greg Abbott wasted $3 billion of our tax dollars on a garbage wall for his border propaganda.” Joel Montford, a local political analyst, also said the program was “useless” and “completely fraudulent,” and had “failed miserably in its objective and cost taxpayers billions.”

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