AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas has announced a significant change in its approach to U.S.-Mexico border security by ceasing any new funding towards the construction of the border wall, a project that has been a major priority for Republican Governor Greg Abbott.
This decision comes after the state has managed to construct only a small portion of the proposed barrier, which spanned hundreds of miles when Abbott first initiated the project four years ago.
In the latest state budget approved by lawmakers, dedicated funding for further wall construction is notably absent.
Governor Abbott had previously advocated for the wall as part of a broader immigration crackdown, which included innovative funding methods, such as reaching out for private donations during a time of high migrant crossings.
Abbott’s office attributed the funding halt primarily to the success of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, which they believe have improved border security.
“Thanks to President Trump’s bold leadership, the federal government is finally fulfilling its obligation to secure the southern border and deport criminal illegal immigrants,” stated Andrew Mahaleris, Abbott’s spokesman.
The decision comes as a marked change in strategy, allowing the state to reprioritize its security measures with renewed federal support.
As of now, approximately 65 miles of the border wall have been completed, while Texas’ border with Mexico stretches nearly 1,200 miles.
The construction has faced multiple delays, largely due to land acquisition challenges and opposition from local communities who have voiced their concerns.
Abbott promoted the wall during a period marked by significant numbers of migrant crossings, asserting that a combination of state-owned and privately donated land would facilitate the construction of hundreds of miles of barriers.
However, recent statistics indicate a substantial drop in migrant crossings this year, raising questions about the necessity of the wall’s initial funding and construction.
Scott Nicol, a board member for Friends of the Wildlife Corridor, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the wall and remarked, “There was no need for it in the first place.
The only thing that’s changed is the political dynamic.”
The new Texas budget allocates around $3.4 billion for border security efforts over the next two years, significantly lower than the previous budget allocation of $6.5 billion dedicated to immigration initiatives.
Importantly, the newly allocated funds will not be earmarked for expanding the border wall but instead will support the Texas Department of Safety and the Texas National Guard, which play crucial roles in Operation Lone Star, a major immigration enforcement program initiated by Abbott in 2021.
Even though new construction has been halted, existing funding for the wall will permit ongoing work until 2026.
Republican Senator Joan Huffman, the principal architect of the budget in the state Senate, stated, “Funds previously allocated for the wall will allow work on it to continue through 2026 and will set the federal government up for success.”
According to a statement by the Texas Facilities Commission executive director Mike Novak, there remains around $2.5 billion in funding to facilitate the construction of up to 85 additional miles by 2026.
Critics of the wall, such as Bekah Hinojosa, co-founder of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, have expressed strong opposition, labeling it as ineffective and divisive.
“This wall should have never been built; it’s useless,” Hinojosa stated, emphasizing the community divide created by the project.
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