DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Announces New Border Wall Construction in Arizona

The Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed plans for the construction of seven new miles of border wall in Arizona. This initiative forms part of the administration’s broader strategy to enhance national security and strengthen the southern border.

Noem made this announcement through a brief video shared on her X account. This marks a significant development as border wall construction resumes during the second term of the Trump administration. The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement recently indicating that U.S. Customs and Border Protection awarded a contract worth over $70 million to Granite Construction Co. This contract aims to facilitate the seven miles of border wall in the Rio Grande Valley Sector, as detailed in Noem’s statement.

Noem Discusses Border Security Initiatives

While speaking from the Arizona border, Noem emphasized the importance of this construction. “Everybody, I’m here in Arizona, and right at this spot, you can see where the border wall ends,” she stated while wearing a Customs and Border Protection hat and jacket. “As of today, we’re starting seven new miles of construction; we’re going to continue to make America safe again.” This statement underscores the administration’s commitment to bolstering border security.

Funding for the New Border Wall

The newly proposed wall will be financed through funds allocated by Customs and Border Protection for the Fiscal Year 2021, according to the Department of Homeland Security. This funding is critical, as it enables the construction to begin without delay.

Contrasting Approaches to Border Security

In stark contrast to the current administration’s approach, former President Joe Biden halted all border wall construction on his first day in office in 2021. However, by late 2023, some construction on approximately 20 miles of border barriers in South Texas was permitted under Biden. This was primarily because Congress had already allocated the necessary funds during Trump’s previous term.

During his first term, Trump oversaw the construction of around 458 miles of both primary and secondary barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. This infrastructure included significant repairs to sections of the existing wall that had fallen into disrepair.

Future Border Wall Aspirations

Vice President JD Vance recently expressed confidence in the administration’s vision for border security. During a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, he stated that he believed Trump aimed to have a wall spanning the entire southern border by the end of his term in 2029. “I think the president’s hope is that by the end of the term, we build the entire border wall,” Vance remarked during a press conference.

He elaborated on the necessity of not only physical barriers but also integrating advanced technology into security measures. “And, of course, that’s the physical structure—the border wall itself—but we even heard today, there are so many good technological tools, so many great artificial intelligence-enabled technologies that can also be used to secure the border,” he added.