SUNLAND PARK, N.M. - Construction has resumed on a private border wall in southern New Mexico. The nonprofit group We Build the Wall raised more than $20 million to erect the wall in Sunland Park.
"This wall isn't about stopping immigration. This wall is about legal immigration we want people to use the front door and come into this country legally," said Brian Kolfage, founder We Build the Wall
Days after construction began, Sunland Park Mayor Javier Perea told the group that the fence was too high and violated city law. However, Perea backtracked on Thursday.
"Upon further investigation, we have determined this is under and M-2, which is industrial zoning and does allow up to 35 feet, as we understand at this moment," Perea said.
Construction is expected to be completed in the next several weeks.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham responded to the wall with a statement that reads:
A multi-faceted and strategic approach is required for establishing and enhancing border security as well as dealing with the humanitarian crisis on our southern border. No president, no federal administration has done enough on these fronts in recent decades, and certainly not in recent months. But to act as though throwing up a small section of wall on private land does anything to effectively secure our southern border from human- and drug-trafficking or address the humanitarian needs of the asylum seekers and local communities receiving them -- that's nonsense. It takes us farther away from where we all need to be.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson with the state’s Republican Party disagreed. They sent the following statement:
“New Mexico communities are being overrun by the flood of illegal immigrants. Their resources are strained, in some cases depleted, and their safety is threatened. Congress continues to do nothing, while unknown individuals flood into our country. Securing the border is paramount. The private wall funding will help landowners struggling with the flood of migrants invading their land.”
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