The Border Patrol is scheduled to begin construction on new sections of the border wall in Southern Arizona this week. The project will fill in four gaps along the Colorado River where Arizona, California and Mexico meet.
Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, R, installed shipping containers in this area. In December, he agreed to stop installing new containers and remove those that had already been put in place to avoid a preliminary injunction or restraining order in federal court. Ducey’s office said that development was a win because the Biden administration agreed to install new fencing as part of the deal.
“The U.S. Border Patrol has a tremendous partnership with the State of Arizona and will continue to work collaboratively to expand its deployments of infrastructure, technology, and personnel,” the construction announcement stated.
The construction, which is scheduled to be completed this summer, will be paid for using leftover funds from the Department of Homeland Security’s 2021 budget.
This announcement came just ahead of President Biden’s visit to El Paso, Texas, where he met with local leaders and non-profits helping to shelter and feed immigrants. He also met with Border Patrol agents at the border wall.
“They need a lot of resources and we’re going to get it for them,” President Biden said.
When President Biden arrived in El Paso, he was greeted by Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, who handed him a letter that said his visit was $20 billion too little and two years too late. Abbott blamed the president for record levels of illegal immigration.
The governor called on the president to stop releasing immigrants on parole en masse, fully enforce Title 42 and the Remain in Mexico Policy, build new fencing or walls in Texas and designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
President Biden is now in Mexico City meeting with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The pair will discuss immigration and illegal fentanyl trafficking, among other topics.