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  4. Border Wall System FAQs

Border Wall System Frequently Asked Questions

President Trump’s January 20, 2025, Executive Orders titled, “Securing our Borders” and “Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border of the United States,” make clear that securing the borders of our Nation is a priority for this Administration. To achieve operational control of the border DHS must, consistent with existing law, build the physical infrastructure necessary to secure the southern border of the United States.

Since the Border Patrol began constructing border walls more than 30 years ago, these walls have proved to be a critical component in gaining operational control of the border. CBP utilizes a comprehensive approach to border security that leverages local, state, and federal law enforcement partners and use of technology, infrastructure, and enforcement personnel to secure the Southwest border. The border wall is one element of CBP’s approach to border security that provides persistent impedance and denial to illegal cross-border activity.

Below are frequently asked questions and answers about the border wall system.

General

The border wall system includes a combination of various types of infrastructure such as an internally hardened steel-bollard wall or waterborne barrier, all-weather roads, lighting, enforcement cameras, and other detection technology.

  • CBP has more than 85 miles of new border wall and waterborne barrier funded with prior year appropriations in various stages of planning and construction. These projects are located within the U.S. Border Patrol’s (USBP) San Diego, Yuma, Tucson, El Paso, and the Rio Grande Valley Sectors.
  • In addition, CBP and USBP are working with the Department of Defense and the Texas National Guard to deploy temporary barriers to include concertina wire, razor wire, chain link fencing, and Normandy style barriers to stop illegal cross-border activity.
  • CBP Awards First Border Wall Contract of President Trump's Second Term

Purpose

  • The primary goal of the border wall and waterborne barriers are to gain operational control of the border. These border barriers are intended to provide persistent impedance and denial to illegal cross-border activity.
  • While anchored by the border barrier and the impedance and denial capability it brings, the border wall system’s complementary investments in roads, lighting and technology address domain awareness and access and mobility requirements of Border Patrol agents. 

CBP utilizes a comprehensive approach to border security that leverages local, state, and federal law enforcement partners and use of technology, infrastructure, and enforcement personnel to secure the Southwest border. The border wall system is one element of CBP’s approach to border security.

U.S. Border Patrol’s requirements to achieve operational control of the border determine the locations and priority for new and replacement border wall system. These decisions are also influenced by geographic characteristics along the border, procurement timelines, funding, and other programmatic requirements.

Mileage

The length of the Southwest border with Mexico is approximately 1,954 miles.

The current types of border barrier along the Southwest border include 18–30-foot steel bollard wall, legacy pedestrian fencing (chain link, picket or mesh), concrete levee wall with steel bollards and temporary barriers (concertina wire, razor wire, chain link fence and “Normandy” style vehicle barriers).

Technology

The design for border wall system includes the use of technology, anchored by the steel bollard wall of 18’-30’ in height with an anti-climb topping and patrol road, the barrier is most effective when combined with detection technology, lighting, and cameras creating a “system.”

Cost

CBP operates under an annual budget based on appropriations received from Congress. The border wall projects currently in planning and construction are funded with prior year appropriations from Fiscal Years (FY) 2020 and 2021. CBP has not received any new funding for border wall system since FY 2021.

Waiver

The Secretary’s waiver authority allows DHS to waive certain environmental laws to ensure the expeditious construction of physical barriers, by minimizing the risk of administrative delays. Projects executed under a waiver are critical steps to secure the southern border and reinforce our commitment to border security.

The Secretary’s waiver authority is derived from Section 102(c) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, as amended (“IIRIRA”), an authority granted to the Secretary by Congress.

Utilizing the authority provided by Congress, the Secretary’s waiver minimizes the risk of project delays and, in turn, puts DHS in a better position to continue to progress towards a secure southern border.

The waiver includes various environmental, natural resource, and land management laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. For a full list of covered laws, please consult the published waiver/s, which are publicly available on the Federal Register and include the complete list of laws.

No, the waiver does not impact the process required for the acquisition of private property.

Additional Information

A long section of steel border wall supported by diagonal braces, with construction equipment and a dirt path in the foreground.
Steel border wall sections reinforced with angled braces line a dirt construction path. June 4th, 2025 | Rio Grande Valley Sector
A large excavator lifts a steel border wall panel into place above a concrete base, with a cloudy sky in the background.
An excavator carefully lifts a steel panel into place during border wall construction. June 4th, 2025 | Rio Grande Valley Sector
Border wall curves along a hilly landscape with construction vehicles and concrete bridge pillars in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
The border wall winds through a rugged hillside as construction continues near large concrete bridge supports. May 28th, 2025 | San Diego Sector
Construction crews use a JLG lift and excavator to install steel wall panels at night, illuminated by work lights.
Crews work through the night installing border wall panels with the help of a JLG lift and excavator. May 28th, 2025 | Rio Grande Valley Sector
Excavator working near a border wall built on a steep dirt slope, surrounded by vegetation and open terrain
An excavator clears land along a steep incline beside a newly installed stretch of border wall. May 21st, 2025  | Rio Grande Valley Sector
Tall steel border wall stands behind a dry, grassy field with scattered rocks and a small utility door visible in the wall.
A tall steel wall spans a dry, rocky landscape, with a utility door embedded into the structure. May 21st, 2025 | San Diego Sector
Newly paved concrete path runs alongside a steel border wall under a clear blue sky in a desert landscape.
A fresh concrete walkway runs parallel to the border wall under the bright desert sun. May 21, 2025 | Yuma Sector
Border wall installation in progress, with support braces and equipment lined up under a vivid blue sky.
An excavator clears land along a steep incline beside a newly installed stretch of border wall. May 21, 2025 | Rio Grande Valley Sector
workers on a boom lift install tall steel panels on a border wall under a cloudy sky, with the wall extending far into the distance.
Workers use a boom lift to install steel border wall panels as storm clouds gather overhead. May 7, 2025 | El Paso Sector
Steel border wall panels stand in silhouette at sunrise or sunset, with dirt paths and orange cones in the foreground
Steel panels rise against a colorful sky as border wall construction continues into early or late hours. May 7, 2025 | Rio Grande Valley Sector
A bulldozer operates near a gap in the steel border wall at the Smugglers Gulch site, where additional panels will close a 350-foot opening. Concrete pilings are visible along the hillside.
Site work progresses at the Smugglers Gulch Project, aiming to close a 350-foot gap between existing wall panels. May 7, 2025 | San Diego Sector
workers on a boom lift install tall steel panels on a border wall under a cloudy sky, with the wall extending far into the distance.
Workers use a boom lift to install steel border wall panels as storm clouds gather overhead. April 30, 2025 | El Paso Sector
A truck loaded with stacked steel beams and panels parked near a border wall construction area with highway overpasses in the background.
Supplies arrive on-site as steel beams are transported for upcoming wall installation. April 30, 2025 | San Diego Sector
Construction machinery drills into a dirt field near a rebar grid for foundation support under clear blue skies
Foundation preparation begins as workers drill and lay rebar to anchor future wall sections. April 23, 2025 | Yuma Sector
An excavator operates on a steep incline as wall construction progresses up the slope, with a worker nearby.
Wall construction moves uphill, with crews adapting equipment to the shifting elevation. April 23, 2025 | Yuma Sector
A stretch of Normandy-style barrier fencing runs alongside a dirt road under a clear blue sky.
Normandy-style barriers mark the landscape, providing vehicle deterrence along the border. April 16, 2025 | El Paso Sector
An excavator hoists a steel wall panel next to an already installed section, with a work zone and stop sign in front.
Panel placement continues as crews secure new segments of the wall near a marked construction zone. April 9, 2025 | Rio Grande Valley Sector
An excavator operates on a steep incline as wall construction progresses up the slope, with a worker nearby.
Wall construction moves uphill, with crews adapting equipment to the shifting elevation. April 9, 2025 | El Paso Sector
Construction workers install rebar and concrete forms beside a large rock face during border wall foundation work.
Workers reinforce foundations carved through rocky terrain to support upcoming wall segments. April 2, 2025 | El Paso Sector
An excavator works near a rugged hillsdie as a new section of steel border wall is installed, with a red lift platform and construction debris visible.
Crews instal border wall panels along uneven terrain using heavy machinery and elevated lift platforms. April 2, 2025 | San Diego Sector
Workers and equipment assist in lifting a tall wall panel into place between two already installed segments.
New wall segments are raised and aligned during active installation operations. March 26, 2025 | Rio Grande Valley Sector
An excavator lifts a steel border wall panel into position
A new panel is hoisted into place during wall installation near a mountainous section of the border. March 26, 2025 | Yuma Sector
a bulldozer navigates a steep, grassy hillside as a construction continues near
Heavy equipment tackles steep slopes during ongoing wall construction in the hilly terrain. March 26, 2025 | San Diego Sector
Last Modified: Jul 02, 2025