It’s no secret that the southern border has faced unprecedented challenges.

For years, gaps in physical barriers have enabled illegal crossings. Human traffickers and drug smugglers exploited these vulnerabilities. National security experts warned of dangers posed by uncontrolled immigration.

American citizens living near the border reported increased crime and property damage.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has awarded the first border wall contract of President Donald Trump’s second term, valued at approximately $70 million. The contract with Granite Construction Co. will add seven miles of new wall in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley Sector, closing critical gaps left by the previous administration.

Biden Border Failures Reversed

When President Joe Biden took office in 2021, he immediately halted all border wall construction. His administration called the wall “not a serious policy solution” and canceled existing contracts, leaving critical sections incomplete.

These gaps became prime crossing points for illegal migrants. Border Patrol agents reported record-high encounters, with “gotaways” reaching as many as 1,800 per day at the crisis peak.

Remember when we were told walls don’t work? In January of 2025, President Donald Trump signed executive orders declaring a national emergency at the southern border. He also directed the Department of Homeland Security to “take all appropriate actions to deploy and construct physical barriers to ensure complete operational control.”

The new construction targets Hidalgo County, Texas, an area heavily exploited by those seeking to enter the country illegally. CBP noted that these sections were specifically “left incomplete due to cancelled contracts during the Biden Administration.”

Make no mistake: this wasn’t an oversight, it was by design.

‘Make America Safe Again’ In Action

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem visited the construction site Saturday, highlighting the administration’s commitment to border security.

“Everybody, I’m here in Arizona, and right at this spot you can see where the border wall ends,” Noem said in a video statement. “As of today, we’re starting 7 new miles of construction. We’re going to continue to make America safe again.”

The wall’s effectiveness is already evident. Border Patrol is now recording an average of only 77 “gotaways” per day. This represents a dramatic 90% decrease from the height of the crisis under the previous administration. Isn’t it amazing what happens when we actually enforce our laws?

The project will be funded using CBP’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget, money appropriated during Trump’s first term but left unused when wall construction was halted. Funny how that money suddenly became available again, right?

America’s Border Security Future

Vice President JD Vance, during his recent border visit with Defense Secretary Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Gabbard, addressed the administration’s long-term goals.

“I think the president’s hope is that by the end of the term we build the entire border wall,” Vance told reporters.

This renewed focus on border security comes as public opinion has shifted. A Monmouth poll earlier this year found that a majority of Americans now support building a border wall for the first time in the poll’s history. Turns out Americans value their safety and sovereignty after all!

During Trump’s first term, approximately 458 miles of primary and secondary barriers were built or replaced. The administration aims to complete the entire southern border wall by 2029.

The wall (what a concept!) serves as both a physical barrier and a deterrent – something the previous administration couldn’t seem to grasp. It works alongside advanced technologies to secure America’s borders and protect our citizens.

In the end, this is yet another example of Trump putting America first. Thank you, President Trump!

Key Takeaways:

• Trump fulfills campaign promise with first $70 million border wall contract in his second term.
• Construction targets critical gaps deliberately left open during the Biden administration.
• Illegal crossings already down 90%, reaching lowest levels since the 1980s.
• Vice President Vance confirms plans to complete the entire southern border wall by 2029.

Sources: Daily Caller, Fox News