Trump Mexico Wall Latest News Update 2017: Construction of Prototypes is Underway
The construction of eight prototype barriers for the Mexican border is underway, the U.S. government announced.
According to the Customs and Border Protection, four prototypes will be made out of concrete while the rest will make use of other materials. The prototypes will be 9 meters high (30 ft.) and 9 meters long (30 ft.).
U.S. President Trump suggested that some parts of the wall should be made transparent to prevent drugs from being tossed over from Mexico. Apart from that, he suggested some parts to come with a solar panel.
The construction should be completed within 30 days. Officials will then have to evaluate the design as well as the effectiveness of the barrier within a period of three months.
Each prototype should cost about $450,000, which will be paid for using federal funds. Congress has yet to pass the budget for the construction of the final wall.
Although Trump since his campaign for the presidency has insisted on Mexico paying for the wall, Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto has been firm in his refusal to fund the barrier.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is among those who are not in favor of the Mexico wall. He recently filed a lawsuit against the administration, citing the project's lack of compliance with state and federal environmental laws among other things.
The lawsuit points out that there is a lack of environmental study on the proposed 400-foot wall prototype in San Diego and the 2,000-mile wall on the U.S. and Mexico border. It emphasizes how the Department of Homeland Security pushed through with the project despite the lack of compliance with laws including the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act.
The proposed wall could have an adverse effect on wildlife living near the U.S. and Mexico border. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, over 100 animals that are categorized as threatened and endangered or candidates for the classification should be in danger because of the barrier.
