$70 million contract awarded to extend Texas border wall

The U.S. government has launched a $70 million contract to extend the border wall between the United States and Mexico. This new section will cover seven miles in Hidalgo County, Texas. The goal is to prevent drug smuggling and illegal crossings. The contract has been awarded to Granite Construction Co., based in California. The funding comes from the Customs and Border Protection's budget for the fiscal year 2021. The announcement was made this past Saturday. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that construction started immediately. She emphasized the need for the wall to enhance safety and security at the border. According to Border Patrol, the area has seen many illegal activities, including the smuggling of drugs and people. President Trump had promised to build a border wall during his campaign in 2016. About 458 miles of the wall were built during his first term, mostly replacing older structures. The current initiative aligns with Trump’s focus on immigration control since returning to the presidency. In January, Border Patrol reported a significant drop in arrests at the border. Arrests fell from 47,316 in December to 21,593 in January. Trump claimed this drop was a result of his policies, declaring that "The Invasion of our Country is OVER."