WASHINGTON – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has completed construction of more than 200 miles of new border wall system, in place of dilapidated or outdated designs and in places where no barriers previously existed, in high priority locations across the Southwest border. Construction is underway for an additional approximately 339 miles of new border wall system and another approximately 183 miles are in the pre-construction phase.
The use of border barriers within CBP’s border security strategy has been tried, tested and developed over nearly 30 years. Since the first barriers were constructed in the San Diego Sector in 1991, U.S. Border Patrol field commanders have continued to advocate for the enduring capability barriers create to impede and deny attempted illegal entries while creating additional time to carry out successful law enforcement resolutions.
“Illegal drug and human smuggling activities have decreased in those areas where barriers are deployed. Illegal cross-border traffic has also shifted to areas with inferior, legacy barriers or no barriers at all,” said Acting CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan.
The new border wall system is helping to secure the Southern border from illicit cross border activity and is encouraging lawful entry in a safe and legal manner through available ports of entry. The system is designed to enhance border security and increase safety of Border Patrol agents.