Trump admin to spend $4.5 billion building 230 miles of new border wall

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Summary

"Smart Wall"

The Trump Administration announced $4.5 billion in contracts to build 230 miles of “Smart Wall” and add 400 miles of technology.

Funding origins

The money for the project is coming from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Republicans approved in July.

Sand and water

In the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, DHS will construct new fencing and other barriers. In south Texas, DHS will build water barriers in the Rio Grande river.

Full story

The Trump administration announced it is awarding $4.5 billion in contracts to build hundreds of miles of new border wall. The money will be used for both physical barriers and what are described as technological barriers, like motion sensors that help detect individuals crossing into the United States illegally.

In total, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the latest round of funding will fund the construction of 230 miles of “Smart Wall” and 400 miles of technology.

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“For years, Washington talked about border security but failed to deliver. This President changed that,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott said in a statement. “The Smart Wall means more miles of barriers, more technology, and more capability for our agents on the ground. This is how you take control of the border.”

The international border wall between Tecate, California and Tecate, Mexico, near Tijuana. (Photo by Getty Images)

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is issuing two waivers to get the projects done quickly. Those waivers allow the Department of Homeland Security to make exceptions to environmental laws and other regulations that would otherwise prohibit construction in certain areas.

There will be 10 total projects in all four states along the southern border. They will build physical barriers and install technological detection systems in San Diego, southern Arizona, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. They will construct water based barriers in south Texas in areas with high crossings through the Rio Grande River.

U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a ceremony commemorating the 200th mile of border wall at the international border with Mexico in San Luis, Arizona, June 23, 2020. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite the ongoing government shutdown, DHS is using money that was approved by Republicans in July when they passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. They also had money left over from fiscal year 2021 to use for the project. The department said it will continue to announce new contracts.

U.S. CBP published a map of walls and barriers along the southern border, which is available here.

Ray Bogan (Political Correspondent)

Ray is a Political Correspondent for Straight Arrow News based out of Washington, D.C. He covers Congress, the White House, and all things politics.

Alex Delia (Deputy Managing Editor) and Ally Heath (Senior Digital Producer) contributed to this report.

Tags: Border, Donald Trump, Immigration

Why this story matters

The U.S. government is awarding $4.5 billion in contracts to expand the southwest border's Smart Wall system, blending physical barriers with advanced surveillance technology, which could shape future border security strategies and affect migration patterns.

Border security infrastructure

Expanding the Smart Wall system with new physical and technological barriers reflects ongoing federal efforts to address unauthorized border crossings and aims to bolster national security, as explained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Government policy and funding

The contracts are funded through President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, with some prior year appropriations, signifying a shift in administration priorities and the use of legislative mechanisms to expedite large-scale infrastructure projects.

Regulatory waivers and environmental impact

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem authorized waivers to bypass certain regulations, which could accelerate construction but may also raise concerns about the environmental and local impact in border regions.

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Community reaction

Local officials in border regions express cautious optimism, noting the potential for increased security and infrastructure but also concern that migration patterns may shift to less fortified areas based on comments from border sheriffs and local authorities.

Do the math

Key figures include $4.5 billion in contracts, 230 miles of new barriers, nearly 400 miles of new technology, and individual project allocations such as $850 million for 42 miles in El Paso and $574 million for eight miles in El Centro.

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Media landscape

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Key points from the Left

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Key points from the Center

On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection awarded 10 construction contracts worth $4.5 billion to add 230 miles of Smart Wall.
After a pause under President Joe Biden, the contracts funded by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and carryover Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations follow 458 miles built by President Donald Trump.
Among winners, BCCG Joint Venture won seven contracts worth more than $3 billion, Barnard Spencer Joint Venture secured two contracts about $780 million, and Fisher Sand & Gravel Co. Received a $574 million California contract.
The Smart Wall combines steel and waterborne barriers, patrol roads, lights, cameras and advanced detection technology, DHS said, stretching 1,422 miles and covering nearly 73% of the border for Border Patrol agents.
To accelerate construction, officials waived certain requirements for select miles, including roughly nine in the San Diego sector and about 30 in the El Paso sector, though waivers can bypass environmental laws and past private efforts faced legal scrutiny.

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Key points from the Right

The Department of Homeland Security announced plans for a Smart Wall stretching 1,422 miles along the U.S.-Mexico border, including advanced detection technology for rugged areas.
Customs and Border Protection stated that $4.5 billion in new contracts will fund construction for 230 miles of new fencing and technology.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued waivers to expedite construction, citing the need to streamline the process for the Smart Wall.
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott emphasized the importance of the Smart Wall for enhancing border control and agent capability.

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