One of the cornerstones of President Trump’s campaign was his promise to build a “big, beautiful wall” on the Mexican border to help curb illegal immigration.
Less than one week into his administration, it looks like he’s ready to get moving. Yesterday, Trump made a major announcement:
Big day planned on NATIONAL SECURITY tomorrow. Among many other things, we will build the wall!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2017
Indeed, reports indicate the President is set to start signing a number of immigration orders, one of which includes “directing federal resources” towards building the wall.
Via CNN:
President Donald Trump will take executive action Wednesday directing federal resources toward building a border wall, a White House official confirmed to CNN.
The move begins a multi-day roll out of immigration actions that’s also expected to include moves related to refugees and visas. Trump will make the announcement during a visit to the Department of Homeland Security at 1:25 p.m. ET.
Aside from federal funding for the border wall, Trump’s transition team had been looking at other means to secure the border and control immigration. In December, they made information requests regarding the feasibility of expanding temporary immigrant detention facilities, and seeking details on an aerial surveillance program that President Obama scaled back during his tenure.
Republican Study Committee Chairman Bill Flores explained that where a physical wall is not possible, a virtual wall will be put in place.
Whatever gets the job done.
Aside from building the wall, Trump is expected to also include a mandate to increase staff at Customs and Border Protection by 5,000.
Here’s where the real genius comes into play. The President has long insisted that Mexico is actually going to pay for the wall – and he may be right!
The executive order will require the Department of Homeland Security to publicly divulge what aid is currently being sent to Mexico, a sign that Trump will divert that aid towards construction of the wall.
If he does that, he’d be taking funding currently being sent to Mexico and using it for the wall. Mexico will be paying for it!
Regardless of what tactics are employed, it’s clear that the President is more serious about tackling border control during his first week in the White House than his predecessor was during his entire eight years in office.
Comment: Is it clear now that President Trump is serious about building the wall? Share your thoughts with us below.
