Trump and the wall

Trump's Wall: Policy and Reality

Building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border became one of Donald Trump's most discussed promises during his presidential campaigns. Here are the key facts and moments:

Campaign Promise: In his 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to build a "great wall" along the U.S.-Mexico border to stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking. He also claimed that Mexico would pay for the wall's construction, though this promise was not fulfilled.

Implementation: Although Trump did not manage to build a wall along the entire 1,954-mile border, during his presidency, approximately 452 miles (727 kilometers) of barriers were either added or replaced. Much of this work involved upgrading existing fences rather than constructing a new wall from scratch.

Funding: Funding the wall became a point of fierce contention in the U.S. Congress. Trump used various methods to secure funding, including declaring a national emergency to redirect money from the military budget. However, Mexico did not pay for the wall.

Shutdown: The conflict over wall funding led to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, with partial closure lasting 35 days from late 2018 to early 2019, due to Congress' refusal to allocate the $5.7 billion Trump demanded.

Criticism and Support: The wall idea elicited a wide range of reactions. Critics argued it was ineffective, costly, and symbolically harmful to relations between the countries. Supporters saw it as a measure to enhance national security and control immigration.

Legacy: Despite not being completed to the extent Trump promised, the wall remains a significant symbol of his border and immigration policy. After Joe Biden's election in 2021, wall construction was halted, but discussions around this project continue.

Thus, "Trump's Wall" stands not only as a physical barrier but also as a political symbol reflecting complex issues of national security, immigration policy, and international relations between the U.S. and Mexico.