U.S. agency calls wall on Mexico border a costly, destructive failure of Trump era

Trump administration built about 458 miles of border wall along U.S.-Mexico border from 2017 to 2021

WASHINGTON – A U.S. government watchdog agency has called the Trump administration’s construction of the border wall a costly and destructive failure.

The Trump administration built about 458 miles of border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border from 2017 to 2021.

According to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the wall caused widespread environmental damage, including severe erosion, disrupted waterways, and wildlife habitat.

The wall also destroyed indigenous burial grounds and sacred sites.

In addition to environmental damage, the wall was ineffective in preventing illegal immigration.

The Biden administration has halted further construction of the wall and is working to repair the damage already done.

The ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, Raúl Grijalva, said Trump’s border wall is nothing more than a symbolic message of hate aimed at denigrating migrants.

“So much damage has been done, but we still have the opportunity to keep it from getting worse,” he stressed. 

“Environmental restoration and mitigation work must be led by science and input from the right stakeholders, including tribes and communities along the border. So many corners were cut in building the wall—let’s not repeat history by cutting corners in repairing the damage it caused.”

“The agencies installed over 62% of barrier miles on federal lands, including on those managed by the Department of the Interior,” the report said. 

“Interior and CBP officials, as well as federally recognized tribes and stakeholders, noted that the barriers led to various impacts, including to cultural resources, water sources, and endangered species, and from erosion.”