Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced Friday that $4.5 billion has been awarded for 10 new construction projects along the southwest border.
These projects are the first to be funded through the GOP’s sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was released by President Trump. signed into law In early July.
Bill $165 billion allocated DHS – CBP’s parent agency – to increase personnel and fund border security projects. approximately $46.5 billion was allocated Especially to complete the construction of a border wall.
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott celebrated the news Press releaseHe said the projects will enhance the agency’s capabilities and enhance border security.
“For years, Washington talked about border security but failed to deliver. This President changed that,” Scott said in the release.
The Trump administration noted that the 10 projects will help them build a “smart wall” or a border security system that “combines steel barriers, waterborne barriers, patrol roads, lights, cameras and advanced detection technology.”
“The Smart Wall means more miles of barriers, more technology and more capacity for our agents on the ground,” the CBP commissioner said in the release. “That’s how you take control of the border.”
At an August press conference, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem also pointed out about construction, saying the border wall would be redesigned with more “technology, cameras, sensors.”
“We’re going to paint it black, too,” Noem said. “This is specifically at the request of the President, who understands that in the hot temperatures here, when something is painted black, it becomes even hotter, and that will make it even more difficult for people to climb up.”
Construction will take place at locations in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California. According to the release, the contracts will cover more than 230 miles of barriers and nearly 400 miles of technology along the border.
According to the administration, Noem also issued two waivers to “eliminate bureaucratic red tape and expedite construction” for projects in CBP’s San Diego and El Paso, Texas regions.
Vice President Vance said earlier this year What Trump is hoping forcomplete wall constructionon the US-Mexico border until the end of its term in 2029.
