Biden Cancels Trump’s Mexican Border Wall Contracts

On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is ending the remaining border wall contracts for the Laredo and Rio Grande Valley area, a lastest decision in the process of canceling all U.S.-Mexico border wall projects.

In one of his first actions, President Joe Biden ceased the border wall construction and requested DHS to review the existing plans and funds. Biden has been frequently vowed to end the project started by his predecessor. Since the president arrived at the Oval Office in January, he referred to the border wall construction as a “waste of money that diverts attention from genuine threats to our homeland security” and claimed that the wall was “not a serious policy solution.”

“The Administration continues to call on Congress to cancel remaining border wall funding and instead fund smarter border security measures, like border technology and modernization of land ports of entry, that are proven to be more effective at improving safety and security at the border,” DHS said in a statement. “Until and unless Congress cancels those funds, the law requires DHS to use the funds consistent with their appropriated purpose, and beginning environmental planning activities is part of the Department’s plan to do so.”

During former President Donald Trump‘s presidency, more than 450 miles of the U.S. Mexico border wall have been built, channeling billions of Pentagon funds into building additional border barriers.