Mayorkas Might Opt to Continue Border Wall Construction

From the looks of it, a continuation of the border wall construction might happen during the Biden administration. In a conversation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials last week, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas brought up the possibility. He reportedly told department employees that he may restart border wall construction. This can help plug what he called “gaps” in the current barrier.

RELATED: Trump Border Wall, Asylum Policy Cases Paused By Supreme Court

President Joe Biden already gave the order to cancel the building of the border wall. The President also ordered officials to divert its budget. However, Mayorkas might find that the current situation leaves enough room to make decisions on finishing some “gaps in the wall.” 

Border Plans

According to ICE session notes reviewed by The Washington Times, Customs and Border Protection, which oversees the wall, submitted a plan for what it wants to see happen moving forward. “It’s not a single answer to a single question. There are different projects that the chief of the Border Patrol has presented and the acting commissioner of CBP presented to me,” the secretary said.

“The president has communicated quite clearly his decision that the emergency that triggered the devotion of DOD funds to the construction of the border wall is ended,” Mayorkas said. “But that leaves room to make decisions as the administration, as part of the administration, in particular areas of the wall that need renovation, particular projects that need to be finished,” he said. The secretary said those parts include gaps, gates, and completed areas but without any technology installed. 

Hordes Taking Advantage of Gaps in the Border Wall Construction

Migrants take advantage of gaps in the border wall amid halted construction under President Biden, a border agent told The New York Post. Meanwhile, another border official told Fox News described the situation as “insane” while he attended to a group of 13 Brazilian migrants. These migrants huddled up near a 100-foot gap in the fence in Otay Mesa, Calif. “The project is three-quarters done. At least, they should be allowed to tie together the primary fence. Otherwise, we’re trying to catch these people in the worst possible place. It’s just sucking our manpower,” the agent continued.

Reportedly, smugglers send groups of asylum seekers through the gaps to overwhelm the agents. When agents approach to intercept or apprehend one group, another one dashes across another area. 

Biden’s 60-day Moratorium on Border Wall Construction Expired March 21

It’s been half a month since Biden’s 60-day order halting border wall construction expired. The order, signed by Biden during his first day, ordered a two-month hold on military construction on the previous president’s border wall. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin were due to present the commander-in-chief with a plan on how to proceed on former President Donald Trump’s border wall construction on March 21, according to Biden’s own presidential proclamation. 

The New York Post requested the White House for comment. They have yet to receive a reply whether Mayorkas and Austin already made a final recommendation to the president, or if the administration will continue with the border wall. Without any new directions, numerous migrants through the gaps to reach the US border. Meanwhile, thousands of tons of steel and construction equipment sit idle as migrant groups walking through gaps in the sites.

Watch the Fox Business News feature on Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) as she discusses President Biden's executive order to halt border wall construction:

Do you think that the Biden administration should reconsider continuing border wall construction? If nothing else, it helps by acting to plug the gaps made by the halt order. If not continuing the wall, what should the government do to stem the flow? Let us know what you think. Share your thoughts below.