President Joe Biden is reluctantly proceeding with the construction of a border wall, despite his prior reluctance to do so. The White House has clarified that this decision is driven by a legal obligation to construct 20 miles of the wall along the southern border. This obligation stems from funds that were allocated during the presidency of Donald Trump in fiscal 2019, under Republican leadership.
According to the Washington Examiner, Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the administration’s belief in alternative, more effective methods for securing the border and their repeated calls for Congress to take action. Nevertheless, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently announced its intention to build these 20 miles of wall in Texas, in apparent contradiction to President Biden’s campaign promise of not adding any further sections if elected.
The news about the construction plans surfaced recently, although Jean-Pierre revealed that DHS had made this allocation decision back in June. She also noted that President Biden had attempted to persuade Congress to reallocate the funds, but this request was declined.
President Biden himself acknowledged these circumstances, stating, “The money was appropriated for the border wall. I tried to get them to reappropriate, to redirect that money. They didn’t. They wouldn’t. In the meantime, there’s nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what it was appropriated for. I can’t stop that.”
When asked directly about his opinion on the effectiveness of a border wall, Biden expressed his belief that it was not effective.
Despite the White House’s apparent reluctance, the decision to proceed with the border wall comes amidst growing immigration challenges that have become a significant concern for the administration. President Biden’s approval rating on this issue stands at just 33.6%, and he is facing increasing pressure from politicians in blue states like New York, Illinois, and the Washington D.C. area due to the influx of migrants in those regions.
During a press briefing, Jean-Pierre faced persistent questions about the decision to spend funds allocated four years ago. She cited the necessity of complying with the law but refrained from specifying which law she was referring to.
DHS cited an “acute and immediate need” for the wall due to a surge in illegal immigration, a stance seemingly at odds with the president’s views. Jean-Pierre emphasized that President Biden’s stance on the ineffectiveness of the border wall remained unchanged.