Introduction
It breaks my heart to inform all of you in Mexico who love President Donald Trump. His affection, unfortunately, is not reciprocated.
To prove this, in his upcoming budget set to begin in October, Trump has allocated a staggering $46.5 billion for the installation of new border barriers between Mexico and the United States.
Budget Approval
The recent national budget proposals for 2026 have been approved by various congressional committees in Washington. All that remains are the votes in the House of Representatives and then in the Senate. The House vote is scheduled for next Thursday, May 22.
The Scale of the Plan
The exact amount Trump intends to spend on new border barriers is massive. Never before in the history of these neighboring countries has there been a proposal to erect not just a wall, but barriers of all kinds along the entire length that separates them.
Here’s what you can expect to see along the 3,000-kilometer border:
- 1,457 kilometers of barriers with floating riverine and steel wire components along the water-separated borders;
- 1,000 kilometers of secondary barriers on land;
- 227 kilometers of existing vehicle and pedestrian barriers to be replaced;
- 1,125 kilometers of the wall still to be built.
This plan will include physical infrastructure elements like reinforced steel posts, also known as bollards.
Bollards: Purpose and Types
Bollards are posts or pillars, typically made of metal or concrete, placed in the ground to prevent vehicle entry into certain areas such as sidewalks, pedestrian zones, and building entrances. Their primary functions are to protect pedestrians, delineate spaces, and control traffic.
- Traffic Control: Bollards will guide and divert vehicle traffic in areas requiring precise control.
The materials and types of bollards to be installed at strategic border points include:
- Metal bollards: Various metal types (steel, cast iron, or stainless steel) will be used based on required resistance and durability for specific terrain characteristics.
- Concrete bollards: More robust and heavy-duty, ideal for high-traffic, remote areas.
- Plastic bollards: Lighter and easier to install, but less durable; these will be used in pedestrian zones.
Removable bollards and barriers will also be available, allowing for relocation to different locations or situations.
- Many will be electric: This feature allows raising or lowering the bollards to permit or restrict vehicle passage.
Common uses for bollards include:
- Pedestrian area protection: Preventing vehicles from entering restricted zones.
- Access control: Restricting access to certain areas like parking lots or buildings.
- Building security: Preventing vehicle collisions with structures.
- Space demarcation: Marking boundaries between pedestrian and vehicular zones.
- Traffic control: Guiding vehicle flow in congested or hazardous areas.
Additional Measures
Trump’s plan to distance himself from Mexico also includes fencing, weather-resistant access roads, and enhanced lighting in rural areas. Border patrol agents will need high-intensity lighting to cover vast stretches of border.
Under Trump’s name, White House officials have tasked congressional Republicans with incorporating cutting-edge surveillance technology into the legislation for deployment by 2025. They also aim to develop advanced technologies for real-time monitoring and response at the border’s most porous points with Mexico.
This is not all. To operate these systems, personnel will be required. Therefore, out of the $46.5 billion allocated for barrier systems, a broader package will be implemented, comprising strategies that are not only strict but also aim to impose the heaviest penalties under the law on those attempting to circumvent this new border security.
Furthermore, funds will be allocated for the construction of new Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offices and budgeted for hiring additional personnel, up to 22,000 more agents.
- $46.5 billion for border wall construction.
- $15 billion for deportations.
The Remittance Tax:
The proposed legislation is extensive, not only charging immigrants 5% of the money they send to Mexico and across the globe but also imposing various fees for permits and applications.
For instance, individuals fleeing threats of death in their home countries would have to pay $1,000 to apply for asylum in the U.S., a process that is typically free in other countries.
Trump proposes to exclude undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers from Medicaid, a health insurance program for the poor, as well as from the Children’s Health Insurance Program, even for those with pending applications.
In the House of Representatives, where Republicans can only afford to lose three votes to maintain their majority, the bill’s approval has been delayed due to opposition from conservative Republicans who wish to cut federal government spending further.
The disagreement among Trump’s congressional allies regarding the remittance tax is unrelated, and as of now, that project continues.
There are additional conflicts threatening to further derail the budget process. However, this is typical and occurs annually.
One internal disagreement focuses on federal versus state taxes. For example, Texas Representative Tony Gonzales, who represents a district spanning over 1,287 kilometers of the U.S.-Mexico border, has vowed to oppose any budget agreement unless the federal government reimburses the state for expenses incurred during Operation Starlight under the Biden administration.
Remember when red buoys were placed? That marked the beginning of ideas on how to divide and isolate Mexico from the U.S.
I assure you, it breaks my heart to inform you that Trump does not want Mexico as a neighbor.
