Since August 26th, construction machinery has been located near the border between Mexico and USA

United States’ president, Donald Trump, made a lot of controversial proposals while campaigning. However, the construction of a wall that separates the US from Mexico, and that said Spanish speaking country will supposedly pay for it, may have been the most polemic.

Such statements made him the center of attention of the media. On one hand, it was his battle cry. Many people may also remember, all too well, Trump’s supporters chanting, “build that wall!” whenever he would step on stage. Meanwhile, said actions were considered as racist by the Hispanic Americans, especially those with Mexican heritage.

The American Custom and Border Protection announced last September the beginning of the construction of 8 different wall prototypes in San Diego, California. In their Twitter account, the agency assured that these walls will “deter illegal crossings in the area in which they are constructed and will inform future design standards”.

Four out of the eight prototypes will be made out of concrete, while the other 4 will be constructed with other materials. According to the press release, each of them will be between 18-30 feet high (5,5-9,1 meters).

There are 4 companies -Caddell Construction, Yates & Sons Construction Company, Fisher Sand & Gavel, and Texas Sterling Constructions- who will compete the eight different types of walls in order to win the contract for the rest of the wall.

According to Ronald Vitiello, active deputy commissioner, U.S. CBP, “Our multi-pronged strategy to ensure the safety and security of the American people includes barriers, infrastructure, technology, and People”.

However, for the construction of the entire wall, the Government needs the economic, political, and the local approval.

Latin American Post | Santiago Gómez Hernández 

Copy edited by Susana Cicchetto