RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas – The construction of the Texas-Mexico border wall in Rio Grande City has officially begun, just six months after Gov. Greg Abbott announced the state would build its own border wall.
The first phase of the wall is being built on state land managed by the Texas General Land Office.
Recommended Videos
The governor made the announcement Saturday afternoon during a press conference at the construction site. He was joined by GLO Commissioner George P. Bus and Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) Chairman Steven Alvis.
Sen. Kelly Hancock, Rep. James White, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw, and Texas Military Department Adjutant General Tracy Norris and Deputy Adjutant General Monie Ulis were also in attendance.
In mid-June, the governor, who has openly spoken about his criticism of President Biden’s immigration policies, announced the state’s plan for the border wall. He pledged $250 million in state funds to launch the project.
“The State of Texas has taken comprehensive action to secure our southern border and address the border crisis while President Biden has sat idly by,” said Gov. Abbott. “In June, I promised Texans that we would step up in the federal government’s absence and build our own border wall. We have wasted no time in the six months since that promise was made, and I am proud to announce that construction of the Texas border wall is now underway. Today not only represents the first phase of the Texas border wall, but it also serves as a major milestone in our efforts to combat illegal immigration, stop the smuggling of drugs and people, and keep our communities safe.”
Abbott also directed the TFC to hire a program manager to oversee its construction. In September, that manager was selected.
Gov. Abbott signed House Bill 9 into law that month as well, providing an additional $1.8 billion in state funding for border security, including border wall construction.
To learn more about the progress made building the Texas border wall, visit borderwall.texas.gov.