Trump’s ‘Smart Wall’ tab hits $8B as admin approves new barriers in Texas, Arizona
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A FIRST ON FOX: The Trump administration announced it has awarded five new contracts to help continue building a high-tech “Smart Wall” along the southern US-Mexico border in Texas and Arizona, bringing the total spent on building the border barrier to $8 billion.
Once completed, the border wall is expected to include a total of 1,418 miles of new “Primary Smart Wall,” 536 miles of “Water-Based Barrier System,” and 708 miles of “Secondary Border Wall.” U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) states that the approximately 536-mile barrier-free portion of the U.S.-Mexico border will be covered by detection technology “due to unfavorable terrain or remoteness of the location.” Meanwhile, CBP is using technology at approximately 549 miles where previously constructed barriers exist, according to the agency.
“Securing our border is key to protecting our country, keeping our communities safe, and keeping our immigration system working as it should. A border wall with the right technology – a Smart Wall – is an important tool to stop illegal activity and help agents do their jobs, which is critical to keeping America safe,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott.
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Smart Wall incorporates various technological innovations. There is a steel barrier wall, accompanying pathways, special detection technology, cameras, lighting and, in some cases, water-based barriers or secondary barriers to provide extra protection.
The five new contracts signed will cost $3.3 billion, with the money coming from the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill spending package. They will add 97 miles of primary border wall system, 19 miles of secondary border and 66 miles of water-based barrier system.
After crossing from Mexico to Yuma, Arizona, a group of immigrants reaches the United States through a gap in the border wall. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia, File)
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The contracts will also add 149 miles of sensing technology around pre-existing border structures where Smart Wall construction has not been completed.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has issued nine waivers to speed up border wall construction since October. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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In addition to the new contracts, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued nine new waivers to speed up construction in various sectors. These waivers were published in the Federal Register in October, November and this month.
