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Much of the nation has shut down. Federal, state, and local governments have closed businesses, schools, and even churches; have prohibited public gatherings; imposed “shelter-in-place” orders, along with quarantines and curfews — all to contain the spread of the coronavirus. But one thing that has not shut down is construction of the border wall.
A report in the Washington Times quoted Rusty Payne, a spokesman for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), who said recently, “Border security is national security. We have completed 142 miles of new border wall system and we have another 197 miles under construction. In addition there are 414 miles in the pre-construction phase. We remain confident we will have 450 miles completed by the end of 2020.”
The report also quoted Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, who said it is important to keep building, because stopping illegal border crossing is essential to prevent the aliens from bringing in the COVID-19 virus.
“Today is not the time to play politics with the lives of U.S. citizens. Walls have proven to stop illegal entries into the United States, therefore they are an essential law enforcement resource which will undoubtedly help in reducing the spread of COVID-19,” said Judd.
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Furthermore, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on March 24 that the U.S.-Mexico border would be closed to all non-essential travel.
Earlier this month, at a news event, President Trump said that in view of the coronavirus pandemic, the United States needs the border wall now “more than ever.”
Even in the early days of the pandemic, before it had reached such widespread proportions as today, Trump emphasized the value of the wall to keep possibly infected aliens from crossing the border. During a campaign rally in North Charleston, South Carolina, on February 28, he said, “We must understand that border security is also health security.”
“You’ve all seen the wall is going up like magic,” he continued, saying they’d “have 500 miles built by very early next year.”
“We will do everything in our power to keep the infection from entering our country. We have no choice,” he said. “Whether it’s the virus that we’re talking about or many other public health threats, the Democrat policy of open borders is a direct threat to the health and well-being of all Americans…. Now you see it with the coronavirus.”
“When you have this virus … or any other problem coming in. It’s not the only thing that comes through the border,” Trump said. “And now just using this — so important, right? So important.”
Warren Mass has served The New American since its launch in 1985 in several capacities, including marketing, editing, and writing. Since retiring from the staff several years ago, he has been a regular contributor to the magazine. Warren writes from Texas and can be reached at wmass@thenewamerican.com.
Related articles:
CBP Awards $175,577,000 Contract to Build Wall
CBP: First New Border Wall Project to Begin in April
Customs and Border Protection Working on Upgrading Border Wall in San Diego
CBP To Use Existing Funds to Begin Border Fences and Walls In Texas
Don’t Just Blame Pelosi; Lack of Border Wall Funding Is Bipartisan
Will Private Property Rights Stop the Trump Wall?
Trump Discusses a Border Wall Topped With Solar Panels and With See-through Openings
Trump Signs Executive Orders to Build Border Wall and Strengthen Immigration Enforcement
