BORDER WALL FACT SHEET

The document asserts that approximately $18.74 billion has been spent on over 700 miles of border wall that is ineffective at stopping drug trafficking or irregular crossings. It highlights that 83 laws have been waived to expedite construction, leading to the destruction of tribal cultural sites and critical wildlife habitats. A 2024 study in Arizona showed an 86% reduction in wildlife crossings due to the wall, and the text notes an increase in severe injuries and deaths from falls.

• The US government has spent roughly $18.74 billion to build more than 700 miles of border wall, which the document describes as ineffective and damaging. Current budget proposals from the House Budget Committee and the Senate suggest further billions in funding, including a House draft proposing an additional $35.8 billion.
• Government oversight bodies, including the GAO and DHS Inspector General, have criticized the border wall's implementation for failing to analyze alternative deterrence methods, lacking effectiveness analysis regarding CBP goals, and omitting operation and maintenance cost estimates, which were once estimated at 15% of total costs annually.
• The wall has failed to stop irregular crossings or drug trafficking, with breaches occurring multiple times daily in some areas. Additionally, there has been an unprecedented rise in deaths and brain or spinal injuries resulting from falls from the wall.
• Under the 2005 REAL ID Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security has waived 83 laws to speed up construction, including environmental protections, procurement laws, and laws protecting Native Americans and religious freedom.
• Construction has caused severe damage to tribal resources and cultural sites, including the destruction of sacred plants and the excavation or destruction of burial sites. It has also disrupted religious practices and affected water sources.
• The wall disrupts wildlife by blocking migration, destroying habitats, and creating genetic bottlenecks. It affects over 1,500 plants and animals, including 83 Endangered Species Act listed species such as the jaguar and Mexican wolf. A 2024 camera study on the Arizona border found that wildlife crossings decreased by 86% compared to areas with vehicle barriers.
• In Texas, the wall requires the use of eminent domain or sales to acquire private land. Nineteen communities from El Paso to Brownsville have passed resolutions opposing the wall. If completed through Texas, the land between the river and the wall would be roughly the size of Rhode Island.

APA

Earthjustice (n.d.). BORDER WALL FACT SHEET. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bw1pdbfinal.pdf

Chicago

Earthjustice. BORDER WALL FACT SHEET. n.d. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bw1pdbfinal.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Earthjustice |title=BORDER WALL FACT SHEET |url=https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bw1pdbfinal.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{earthjusticendborder, author = {{Earthjustice}}, title = {{BORDER WALL FACT SHEET}}, institution = {Earthjustice}, url = {https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bw1pdbfinal.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }