What's the Status of Trump's Border Wall? A Key Campaign Promise, Over a Decade On

A decade after President Donald Trump promised to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, the project remains ongoing, with significant work still ahead. During his final months in office, the administration claimed that over 450 miles of the promised wall had been completed, but more than 280 miles are still under construction.

The wall, composed of steel bollards up to 30 feet tall and secondary walls, is designed to be the first line of defense at the border. Additionally, the border fortifications include waterborne barriers, detection technologies, and surveillance systems to monitor and detain individuals who cross into the U.S.

The construction of the border wall has faced numerous challenges. Around 70% of the border consists of private, tribal, or state-owned land, making it difficult for the federal government to acquire land for construction. The Texas General Land Office recently issued a cease-and-desist letter to CBP after discovering that a contractor had cleared over a mile of state land without permission.

Despite these hurdles, the administration plans to build approximately 667 additional miles of primary wall and 461 miles of secondary wall during Trump's second term, with about 363 miles expected to be covered by detection technology.