Construction on U.S. President Trump’s Mexico border wall is underway, with 85 miles of new barrier in various stages of development, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. When pressed on Trump’s long-standing promise that Mexico would pay for the wall, border czar Tom Homan argued that promise is being fulfilled—just not directly.
“They have, in a roundabout way,” Homan said, pointing to Mexico deploying 10,000 troops to its borders and cooperating on immigration enforcement. According to Homan, the financial relief and increased border control efforts from Mexico amount to indirect payment. “So, yes, Mexico is paying for the wall,” he concluded. Here's what he said:
They have, in a roundabout way, have they not? Putting 10,00 military in the northern and southern borders. Taking the action remained with the Mexico. They didn't have to do that. We are saving millions of dollars by moving illegal immigration to a record low. We are saving millions of dollars every day on detention, transportation, removal proceedings. We more than made up for the cost of the wall. We are saving so much money that we can afford to build the wall. So, yes, Mexico is paying for the wall.
