President Trump’s administration wants $1 billion to fund 62 miles of his promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a new report.
The White House’s $999 million budget request would provide for 48 miles of new wall and would update existing fencing along another 14 miles, CNN said Monday.
CNN said it obtained documents concerning the budget request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The funds would also create 14 miles of replacement fencing in San Diego, CNN said, noting a source familiar with the administration’s plans believes its construction likely includes concrete elements.
CNN said the administration requested $1 billion in its 2017 funding supplemental and another $2.8 billion for border infrastructure and technology next year. The border wall was a key campaign promise of Trump.
Cost estimates for a full wall along America’s southern border have ranged from $12 billion to more than $20 billion, according to the news outlet.
The DHS documents CNN obtained say the administration is looking to boost border security elsewhere, specifying millions to strengthen detention facilities and for legal support for building the wall.
Trump contends his long-promised wall would stem the flow of illegal immigrants, drug trafficking and violent crime from below America’s southern border.
California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) said during a Sunday interview his state is prepared to “fight very hard” against the structure’s creation.
“I don’t like that wall, number one,” he said on NBC’s “Meet the Press." "And to the extent that that violates law, certainly I would enforce that.”
“We’re not going to sit around and just play patsy and say, ‘Hey, go ahead. Lock us in. Do whatever the hell you want,’” Brown added.
“We’re not going to be bringing stupid lawsuits or be running to the courthouse every day. We’re going to be careful. We’re going to be strategic.”
Trump signed an executive order authorizing the wall’s creation in January but a definite timeline for the project has not yet been confirmed.