The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has approved a significant investment of $4.5 billion for the construction of advanced sections of the U.S.-Mexico border wall. This funding aims to enhance border security through a combination of physical barriers and high-tech surveillance systems.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced last week that it has cleared 10 contracts for the construction of 230 miles of barriers and about 400 miles of technological enhancements. These improvements include what is being referred to as a “Smart Wall.” This system will use various tools to monitor and prevent illegal crossings at the border.
The new technology will consist of steel barriers, waterborne barriers, lighting, cameras, and other detection tools designed to identify potential illegal activities. CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott emphasized the importance of these measures, stating that this initiative represents a shift from years of discussions about border security to actual action. He believes that the Smart Wall will provide more resources for agents working on the ground.
These contracts are the first to be funded under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Donald Trump in July. This legislation allocated billions for border security, including funds for hiring more Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and reimbursing states for expenses related to the border situation during the Biden administration.
The projects funded by this investment will extend from California to Texas. Since President Trump took office, several contracts have been approved to continue border wall construction, which had slowed under President Biden.
CBP’s Smart Wall initiative aims to gain better control over the border by integrating various measures, including a secondary wall and advanced technologies tailored to the specific geography and needs of different areas.
Brandy Perez from the Heritage Foundation praised the DHS’s investment, stating that it reinforces the U.S. right to control who enters the country. She noted that previous border barriers under the Trump administration significantly reduced illegal crossings and drug seizures.
As the border situation continues to evolve, the administration highlighted that fiscal year 2025 recorded the lowest number of apprehensions at the southern border since 1970. According to CBP, there were no releases of individuals crossing illegally in the five months leading up to September.
Commissioner Scott remarked that the current approach to border enforcement is yielding positive results, allowing agents to effectively do their jobs. He stated that this has led to the most secure border in recent history.
