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Home > News > World News > Article > Work begins on prototypes for US Mexico border wall

Work begins on prototypes for US-Mexico border wall

Updated on: 27 September,2017 04:50 PM IST  | 
IANS |

The prototypes will be built one beside the other on a plot of ground just yards from the fence dividing Otay Mesa from Tijuana, Mexico

Work begins on prototypes for US-Mexico border wall

The prototypes will be between 5.5 and 9.1 meters (18 and 30 feet) high and will be designed to dissuade undocumented migrants from crossing the border in the area and fulfill the requirements established by the Border Patrol, authorities said in a statement


Donal trump great wall
Donal Trump. Pic/AFP


"We are committed to securing our border and that includes constructing border walls. Our multi-pronged strategy to ensure the safety and security of the American people include barriers, infrastructure, technology and people," Ronald Vitiello, acting deputy commissioner of the US Customs and Border Protection, said in a statement on Tuesday.


This part of San Diego, where a double fence already runs along the border, was selected because it is a zone with a high incidence of criminal activity.

The CBP chief said that "Moving forward with the prototypes enables us to continue to incorporate all the tools necessary to secure our border."

The prototypes will be built one beside the other on a plot of ground just yards from the fence dividing Otay Mesa from Tijuana, Mexico.

At the work site, dozens of heavy vehicles and construction equipment have been allowed through the security cordon around the restricted area.

In nearby streets, signs have been posted prohibiting vehicles from parking there between September 26 and November 10.

Along most of the 3,180 km US-Mexico border the wall project includes clearing an area to allow US authorities to see what is happening on the Mexican side and, in some zones where the danger of illegal crossings is greater, a solid wall made of cement-like materials is planned.

Building such a wall was one of Trump's key election promises and, because the billions of dollars it will cost have not yet been allocated by Congress, the mogul -- who had assured the public that Mexico would actually pay for the wall -- has threatened to engineer a partial government shutdown if Democratic lawmakers refuse to include the funds in the budget bill.

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