One of President Joe Biden‘s first tasks after assuming office on Wednesday was to order a halt on the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall, fulfilling one of his major promises during the presidential campaign.
Biden said the construction was “unwarranted and that no American taxpayer dollars [should] be diverted to construct a border wall.”
“I am also directing a careful review of all resources appropriated or redirected to construct a southern border wall,” Biden added in his order, one of the many executive orders he signed on his first day in office.
The order, signed by Biden, states that “it is a waste of money that diverts attention from genuine threats to our homeland security. My administration is committed to ensuring that the U.S. has a comprehensive and human immigration system that operates consistently with our nation’s values.”
In addition to the order, Biden asked top officials of his administration, including his defense secretary, to “develop a plan (within 60 days) for the redirection of funds concerning the southern border wall.” This action would end or repurpose contracts with private contractors engaged in wall construction.
Biden said that he believes that the U.S. has a “right and duty to secure its borders and protect its people against threats, but building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution.”
