Calexico identified as priority location for border wall

Last week the Department of Homeland Security identified the regions of El Centro, Tucson and El Paso as top priorities and where the proposed border wall is expected to begin construction as they move forward with the executive order signed by President Donald Trump to begin the process to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

All three regions identified already have some type of fencing in the high volume traffic areas, but DHS has identified near locations where it believes construction should begin.

According to a DHS memo, the intent is to “build a wall in areas where the fence or old brittle landing-mat fencing are no longer effective.”

Also, CBP acknowledged that is currently identifying where it “can build a wall or similar physical barrier on the border where it currently does not exist.”

The DHS memo gave CBP 180 days to produce a comprehensive study that will include current security, geography and federal and state resources to achieve operational control of the border.

According to the Austin-American Statesman, a Request for Proposals will go out March 6 asking for concept papers with the final bids with pricing are due March 24.

Also, the Arizona Republic reported that internal DHS documents are estimating the cost of the border wall up to $21.6 billion which is far higher than the $10 billion the president had previously said it would cost.

Although Trump promised during his campaign that Mexico would pay for the wall at some point, Mexican officials including President Enrique Peña Nieto has refuted they will pay anything toward the construction of the wall.

Last month, Trump told ABC News U.S. taxpayers will initially pay for the wall and insisted that the U.S. would ultimately be reimbursed by Mexico.

The current administration can use funds earmarked for border-related projects from a bill that was passed during the George W. Bush administration which could be used to cover some planning and design expenses but ultimately for the project to move forward congress would have to vote and approve the bulk of the of the monies for the proposed wall.

The local representatives at the federal and state level criticized the administration’s plans to erect a barrier at the southern border questioning its need.

“Building a wall and stripping funds from sanctuary cities are not effective immigration policies, they are divisive policies,” Congressman Juan Vargas said in January when the executive orders were signed. “As the leader of the free world, our President must develop humane and fair immigration policies that keep all families safe and united.”

According to DHS documents, the construction is expected to occur in several phases, the first expected start as early as this fall will focus on 26 miles of Southern California, El Paso and the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

The second phase would concentrate on 151 miles across the Arizona border along with some part of West Texas.