Soldiers laid hundreds of miles of concertina wire and erected temporary barriers while former President Donald Trump funneled billions of dollars meant for military construction projects toward the wall.
Gregory Bull/AP Photo

Part of the reason Trump sent troops to the border in 2018 was to help build his long-promised wall along the Mexican border. The Pentagon was directed to send members of the Army Corps of Engineers to help lay miles of concertina wire and erect other barriers and fencing.

By fall 2018, the Pentagon estimated that there would be more than 7,000 troops supporting DHS across California, Arizona and Texas, and released hundreds of photos of troops laying concertina wire for the border barrier.

Trump also shifted billions meant for military infrastructure projects to finance the border wall. The move drew bipartisan opposition, but Congress wasn’t able to muster the support to stop Trump.

Biden canceled the project when he took office, but kept the National Guard presence on the border for other support missions.

Congressional reaction

Sen. Ted Cruz (left) joined by Sens. John Cornyn (center) and Lindsey Graham spoke out against the expiration of Title 42 saying it would be detrimental for southern states along the U.S.-Mexico border.