Governor Abbott Announces Plan for Texas to Build Its Own Border Wall

During a border-security conference in the U.S. border city of Del Rio Thursday, Republican Governor Greg Abbott signaled his intention to jumpstart border-wall construction on Texas territory straddling Mexico.

“I will announce next week the plan for the state of Texas to begin building the border wall in the state of Texas. The border crisis is no laughing matter. It’s not a tourism site for members of Congress to visit and then return to D.C. and do nothing,” he remarked.

Upon assuming office, President Joe Biden suspended all border barrier projects, pending review, via executive order. President Trump had diverted military funding to continue building the wall after he failed to acquire financing for it in the 2019 budget, but the Pentagon then canceled those contracts in April.

However, in May it was revealed that the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) would resume construction to repair a 13.4 mile stretch of levee in the Rio Grande Valley and install a concrete levee wall fit to prevent flooding, following pressure from local residents and elected officials.